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Inclusion Bites Spotlight

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THIS MONTH...

wIn this edition of our Inclusion Bites Spotlight we cast a light on the cornerstone of any thriving organisation: an inclusive workplace culture.

Why is this elemental to the UK workplaces of 2024? How do we bridge the gap between having diversity and truly celebrating it? And what roles do vulnerability, listening, and fostering a genuine sense of belonging play in creating workplaces that are not just diverse, but empathetic and equitable? We dive deep into these vital questions in our 'Let's Talk' section this month.

We know the journey to inclusion is multifaceted. That's why we're bringing you a rich blend of perspectives across different media.

Also featuring this month:

🎧 LISTEN: In "The Inclusion Bites Podcast," we join a riveting dialogue as I, Joanne Lockwood, engage with business strategist Elsa Caleb on "Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks." This empowering discussion centers around navigating and surmounting the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face, embracing the resilience required for success.

📹 WATCH: This month's cornerstone content is an empowering keynote I delivered on active allyship and the fear of getting it wrong. It's a must-see, revealing the essence of genuine allyship and its impact on achieving gender parity. You'll find it on YouTube, under the title "Active Allyship and Overcoming the Fear of Getting it Wrong."

📖 READ: Ahead of International Women's Day 2024, let's embrace the #InspireInclusion theme. It's a global call to action, urging everyone to play their part in making inclusion not just a goal but a norm. Delve into the discussion and share your thoughts on creating a world where every woman’s role is not just acknowledged but integrated seamlessly into the fabric of our workplaces and societies.

🌞 FEATURE: Our feature this month is our free gift to you. The Inclusive Culture Scorecard: A Roadmap for Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusion. This will help you and your organisation gauge the level of inclusiveness ahead of LGBT+ History month.

LET'S TALK

with Joanne Lockwood

Hi there,

This month in my 'Let's Talk' section, is all about Nurturing Inclusivity within the ever evolving fabirc of our UK workplaces.

As we unfold the pages of the 2024 UK business landscape, we're greeted with a vibrant patchwork of identities, experiences, and perspectives nestled within our workplaces. Yet, beneath the surface of this diversity, a silent chorus of voices remains unheard, their potential undervalued. This month, let's pierce the silence and delve into the imperative of nurturing an authentically inclusive culture.

🎨 The Embodiment of Authentic Inclusion

True inclusivity must transcend the tokenistic gestures of diversity checklists. To foster a genuinely inclusive environment, we must shift our efforts from mere recognition to active celebration of the myriad backgrounds that our employees bring. We must transform our workplaces into spaces where every individual is not only visible but influential, their unique experiences shaping the very policies and protocols of our organizations. Imagine a workplace where inclusion is not a policy but a tangible presence, where a person-centric focus informs every strategy, every decision. Can we learn to celebrate each difference, to give voice to each story? How might inclusive cultures spark not just change but transformation within our workplaces?

👂 The Power of Vulnerability and Deep Listening

Hidden in the shadows of corporate Britain, the notion of vulnerability often goes unnoticed, its value unappreciated. Our desire for quick fixes has overshadowed the profound impact of simply listening — truly listening — to the lived experiences of our colleagues. By fostering honesty, by holding space for dialogues on mental health and well-being, we are not merely supporting our employees; we are uplifting them. The question remains: are we ready to embrace vulnerability, to forgo the facade of quick fixes in favor of a workplace that understands, that empathises, that supports?

💗 Fostering the Deep-Rooted Sense of Belonging

Inclusion is the seed, but belonging is the flower in full bloom. Belonging emanates from feeling fundamentally intertwined with the workplace fabric, from knowing that 'this place is for me'. It is the harmonious alignment of individual values with organisational ethos, the creation of a safe space where authenticity is not just allowed but celebrated. As we march towards a future where employee engagement and loyalty are the cornerstones of corporate success, how can we cultivate this sense of belonging to ensure that every employee, from every walk of life, feels irrevocably at home within our office walls?

🏳️‍🌈 Upholding LGBTQIA+ Rights in the Corporate Sphere

With LGBT+ History Month upon us, the spotlight turns to our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and the pivotal importance of their rights within the workplace. Advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community requires more than the pomp of Pride; it calls for an unwavering commitment to inclusive policies that respect and value each identity year-round. The quest to forge inclusive cultures in our workplaces is intertwined with our societal progress.

As we promote #InspireInclusivity for International Women's Day, we should blend our voices into a collective that champions equality and empowerment for all women, across all intersections of identity.

🌍 The Future of the Workforce

The narrative of the future of work is not inscribed with technological advancements or corporate milestones alone; it is fundamentally etched with our commitment to people, to creating work environments where every individual can flourish.

As you explore this edition of Inclusion Bites Spotlight, may it ignite a spark within you to take action, to contribute to the tapestry of inclusivity that adorns our workplaces. Your feedback, your stories, your voice — they are the threads that strengthen this fabric. Let us know what you think, and let's continue this conversation.

Embrace the dialogue. Join the movement. Be the change.

I hope you enjoy and take value from this edition of Inclusion Bites Spotlight. If you'd like a particular topic covered or would like to offer feedback, then I would love to hear from you.

Warm Regards,

Joanne Lockwood,

The Inclusive Culture Expert

CEO & Founder of SEE Change Happen

LISTEN

In our recent episode, Joanne Lockwood engages in an insightful conversation with business strategist Elsa Caleb on the theme of Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks. They delve into the world of female entrepreneurship and the strategies for building successful businesses, even in the face of adversity.

Elsa Caleb shares her expertise in helping women develop business plans and encourages them to think differently about their circumstances, particularly in the business realm. Together, Joanne and Elsa discuss the impact of recent global events, such as Brexit, Covid, and the cost of living crisis, and address the specific challenges faced by women in the business world.

They highlight the importance of identifying one's passion and transferable skills, emphasising the bravery and confidence required for career pivots. Elsa articulates the significance of understanding finance and the operational aspects of running a business, while Joanne shares personal anecdotes and insights from her experiences working with entrepreneurial women.

Elsa also offers valuable advice for individuals transitioning to entrepreneurship, discussing the need to understand business basics, compliance with legislation, and the essentials of financial and business management. They stress the significance of maintaining a focus on the business aspect while building a supportive network and nurturing a mindset of caring for others, especially in non-profit organisations.

This episode provides a wealth of knowledge for aspiring and established female entrepreneurs, touching on topics such as financial planning, work-life balance, and the transformative power of community support.

Don't miss out on this enriching conversation with Elsa Caleb and Joanne Lockwood. Subscribe to The Inclusion Bites Podcast and gain the wisdom needed to thrive as a female entrepreneur in today's challenging yet opportunistic business landscape.

Thank you for being a valued part of our inclusive community.

Please subscribe to the podcast to be kept up with future episodes, and connect with Elsa on LinkedIn and say "hi"...

LISTEN HERE

WATCH

Active Allyship - Overcoming the Fear of Getting it Wrong

In Watch this month, Joanne Lockwood delivers an inspiring keynote on active allyship and overcoming the fear of getting it wrong. This engaging keynote was filmed in 2023 for Harrington Star and Schroders for International Women's Day. It is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive world.

Joanne, courageously shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges and experiences that have shaped her perspective on inclusion. From her early realisations of being different to her insights as a gender diversity advocate, Joanne's authentic storytelling opens up important conversations around privilege, gender parity, and the power of active allyship.

The keynote sheds light on the urgent need for gender parity, with thought-provoking statistics and a call to action for all to play their part in driving positive change. Joanne emphasises the importance of intersectional allyship, urging us to consider the impact of marginalisation and inequality on all women, particularly those of colour and with disabilities.

Throughout the talk, Joanne provides practical advice on how to step up as an ally, emphasising the value of genuine listening, learning, and taking meaningful action.

Her powerful message challenges us to confront our fears of getting it wrong and to instead embrace our responsibility to make a positive impact in the world.

We invite you to tune in to this thought-provoking episode and join the conversation on active allyship and inclusion.

Watch the full video "Active Allyship and Overcoming the Fear of Getting it Wrong" on YouTube for insightful perspectives and actionable strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable world for women.

Please like and leave a comment on the video, and please also subscribe to our YouTube channel, and let us know your thoughts...

WATCH HERE

READ

International Women's Day 2024 - Let's Inspire Inclusion

In Read this month, the focus is on International Women's Day (IWD) 2024 which champions the powerful theme of #InspireInclusion, aiming to catalyze global action towards creating a more inclusive world for women.

This initiative underscores the importance of fostering environments where women feel valued, empowered, and integral to the fabric of society. It builds on the rich history of IWD, which has been a beacon of change and advocacy for women's rights since its inception in 1911, reminding us of the collective responsibility to promote gender equality and human rights for all.

This year's theme encourages individuals and organizations worldwide to actively engage in practices that ensure women's participation across all sectors is not only encouraged but normalized. By highlighting the diversity of women's experiences and the necessity for their inclusion in decision-making processes, #InspireInclusion serves as a rallying cry for action. It seeks to dismantle barriers and create pathways for women's economic, social, and political empowerment, emphasizing the role of everyone, everywhere, in inspiring change.

As we approach IWD 2024, which is on Friday the 8th of March, the call to #InspireInclusion invites us to reflect on our contributions to forging a more equitable world. Through various initiatives, from striking the #InspireInclusion pose to sharing stories and resources, we can all play a part in this global movement.

This IWD, let us unite in our efforts to champion the inclusion of women in every aspect of life, reinforcing the belief that a world where women thrive is a world that benefits everyone.

Please have a read and share your thoughts...

READ HERE

FEATURE

It's LGBT+ History this month, why not elevate your organisation's commitment to inclusivity with the "Trans & Non-Binary Inclusion Scorecard." This insightful tool provides a crucial litmus test for assessing your company's level of support and advocacy for trans and non-binary colleagues.

It's not just about ticking boxes for compliance; it's about challenging your entity to be a beacon of progressive change and to truly understand the 'why' behind inclusion.

By using this scorecard, you commit to a journey of learning, growth, and the celebration of every individual's identity, fostering a culture that doesn't just accommodate but actively cherishes diversity. Take the first step towards real change.

GET STARTED

SEE Change Happen produces a wide range of content that talks about current issues facing businesses, teaches how to be more inclusive and really focuses on making a difference. We offer bite-sized and digestible content to fit in with your schedule.

CLICK HERE

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Inclusion Bites Spotlight Brings You...

What’s happening in the world of Diversity and Inclusivity?
Bite-sized tips, advice and teachings to keep up with societal changes.
How to stay inclusive in the workplace & beyond.
We are tackling the significant issues we face in our current time.

Keep an eye out for next month's Spotlight for more on Inclusivity, Diversity and the SEE Change Happen team. Follow us on social media and feel free to forward this edition of Spotlight to anyone you feel may be interested.

info@seechangehappen.co.uk