Diverse Matters

🎙️ NEW EPISODE LIVE | Diverse Talk Matters Episode 32 - Why Inclusive Leadership Matters.

Inclusive leadership is talked about a lot. But what does it actually look like in practice?

In this latest episode Natasha Broomfield-Reid is joined once again by leadership expert, coach, and inclusion strategist Sandra Po***ck OBE MA for an honest and practical conversation about the realities of leading inclusively in today’s workplaces.

Together, they unpack some of the challenges organisations and leaders often avoid discussing openly:

• Why inclusive leadership is not “being soft” but a critical leadership and performance strategy

• How heart-led leadership creates stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better outcomes

• The myths that continue to hold organisations back

• Why psychological safety needs to be embedded into everyday leadership practice

• How leaders can respond meaningfully during crisis, uncertainty, and global events

• The importance of staff networks, governance, and accountability

• Why coaching plays such a powerful role in leadership growth

• The simple but transformative leadership habit more people need to practise: listening

Sandra brings decades of experience, insight, honesty and practical guidance that leaders can apply immediately within their own organisations and teams.

Whether you are a manager, senior leader, or someone passionate about creating more inclusive workplaces, this episode offers valuable reflections and actionable takeaways.

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

🎧 You can listen to Diverse Talk Matters on your favourite podcast platform or watch this episode on our YouTube Channel

Please subscribe, share the episode and help us continue moving inclusion from theory into meaningful action.

Learning is what shapes stronger teams, better decisions and more confident ways of working. When it is embedded properly, it becomes part of how people think, behave and collaborate, not just something that sits on the training calendar.

Learning at Work Week is a useful reminder of this. But the real question is what happens in the other 51 weeks of the year.

At Diverse Matters, we are clear on this. Learning only works when it is practical, honest and rooted in real workplace behaviour. Not theory for theory’s sake. Not sessions people forget by the following week.

We design and deliver DEI and Leadership training that meets organisations where they are and challenges them where it matters. That includes:

• Face to face workshops that get into the real conversations
• Online delivery that keeps it accessible without losing impact

Our focus is always the same. Shift understanding, shift behaviour and support organisations to build genuinely inclusive cultures that last beyond the session itself.

If Learning at Work Week is prompting reflection in your organisation, that is a good starting point. The next step is turning that reflection into action.

If you want training that is direct, practical and designed to make a difference in how people actually work together, get in touch with Diverse Matters.

🔗https://www.diversematters.co.uk/training

The world of work is evolving fast and the conversations around inclusion, culture, leadership and belonging are evolving with it.

That’s why we’re looking forward to being part of the CIPD Festival of Work at ExCeL London on 10–11 June.

With more than 12,500 attendees, 150+ sessions and leaders from across industries coming together to explore the future of work, it’s an important space for honest conversation, practical learning and new perspectives.

If you are attending please come and find our stall where the Diverse Matters team will be talking about how organisations can move inclusion beyond intention and into meaningful action.

Whether you’re reviewing existing strategies, navigating complex conversations, or looking for practical next steps, we’d love to connect.

Find out more here: https://www.festivalofwork.com/why-attend

Only 15% of UK employees believe DEI is fully embedded into everyday workplace culture, despite 9 in 10 organisations having a DEI strategy in place (source : Onvero’s inaugural State of Inclusion in the UK 2025)

That gap matters...
Because Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cannot live in a document, a workshop, or a once-a-year initiative. It has to be reflected in everyday decisions, behaviours, policies, leadership and culture.

When DEI is treated as a tick-box exercise, organisations risk more than reputational damage. They risk disengagement, high turnover, missed innovation opportunities and losing talented people who no longer feel they belong.

At Diverse Matters, we understand that many organisations have the right intentions, but translating vision into meaningful action can feel complex.
That’s where we come in.

We offer tailored, practical support including:
✅ DEI audits
✅ Policy creation and review
✅ Research and analysis
✅ Training and strategic guidance
✅ And so much more

Our approach is bespoke, people-centred and grounded in the reality of your organisation, helping you move from good intentions to measurable, lasting impact.

If your organisation is ready to turn its DEI vision into meaningful action, let’s start the conversation.

Important conversations deserve to be accessible to everyone, not only organisations with large learning and development budgets. That is one of the reasons we continue to invest in our YouTube channel 🎥

At Diverse Matters, we know that many individuals, teams and smaller organisations want to learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, but may not yet be in a position to make the financial commitment to formal DEI services or training.

That should never be a barrier to learning.
Our YouTube channel is our way of giving something back and making important conversations, practical guidance and valuable insights freely accessible to all.

From disability inclusion and accessibility, to psychological safety, race equity, inclusive leadership and workplace culture, we share content designed to support learning, encourage reflection and inspire meaningful action.

You’ll find:
✨ Free webinars and learning sessions
✨ Honest and thought-provoking conversations in podcasts
✨ Practical inclusion guidance you can apply immediately
✨ Our Top Tips in Shorts
✨ Expert insights and lived experiences
✨ Content that helps turn good intentions into meaningful impact

Whether you are an individual wanting to learn, a leader shaping culture, an HR professional supporting teams, an organisation starting your inclusion journey or curious about the Diverse Matters approach, there is something there for you!

We believe inclusion information should be practical, useful and available to everyone.

We would love you to subscribe and be part of the conversation ⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/

🎤 Planning your summer or autumn events calendar? Now is the time to secure the right speakers and facilitators.

As the UK moves into one of the busiest periods for conferences, leadership events, awareness campaigns and corporate gatherings across May, June and beyond, organisations are looking for conversations that are meaningful, relevant and genuinely impactful.

At Diverse Matters, we offer a wide range of experienced speakers and hosts covering an extensive variety of DEI topics.

Our exceptionally talented team know how to create safe, engaging spaces where honest conversations can happen. Conversations that help people feel seen, heard and valued.

Whether you are planning:
📌 A conference
📌 A panel discussion
📌 An awareness event
📌 A leadership session
📌 A team workshop

We help organisations move beyond performative conversations and turn intention into meaningful action.

Inclusion cannot wait. Voices and lived experiences matter more than ever and the right speaker can shape how people think, lead and connect long after the event ends.

If you are looking for speakers, panellists or facilitators for your upcoming events, we would love to support you so please get in touch as time is running out!

Staying connected matters…

At Diverse Matters, we are here to support organisations on their diversity, equity, inclusion and wellbeing journey, and there are many ways to stay in touch with us, access free resources and keep up to date with our work.

You can find us here:
LinkedIn: Diverse Matters UK
Instagram:
Facebook:
YouTube:
X:
TikTok: .matters

Prefer a direct conversation?
Email or contact us via our website www.diversematters.co.uk or call us on 02475 101500

We share insights, resources, training updates and practical tools across all our platforms, so do follow, subscribe or connect in a way that works best for you.

We look forward to staying connected with you.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In the UK, the conversation changed. Awareness alone is not enough. People are looking for workplaces where support is real, visible, and embedded into everyday culture.

That is where the right training makes a difference.

At Diverse Matters, we support organisations with practical, meaningful interventions that go beyond surface-level change:

💡 Mental Health Awareness Training
Builds understanding, reduces stigma, and creates a culture where conversations can happen earlier and more openly.

💡Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
Equips managers with the confidence and tools to support their teams, intervene early, and create healthier, more productive environments.

💡Mental Health First Aid Training
Develops in-house support networks, helping colleagues feel seen, heard, and guided towards the right help when it matters most.

💡Mindfulness Training
Strengthens focus, resilience, and emotional regulation, supporting both wellbeing and performance.

The impact?
Stronger leadership. Lower absence. Better retention. And workplaces where people can genuinely thrive.

So this month, ask yourself:
Are we raising awareness, or are we creating change?

If you are ready to move beyond a tick-box approach and do something meaningful, we would love to support you.

Reach out to find out more.