How to Simplify Inclusion by Focusing on Behaviours

Joanne Lockwood is joined by Jackie Handy to explore how organisations can make inclusion feel more practical and achievable by focusing on everyday behaviours and language, rather than relying on unconscious bias training as a standalone solution.

They discuss why bias training can sometimes trigger defensiveness or shame, and why inclusion efforts work best when they are part of a broader, ongoing approach that builds understanding, reflection, and action. The conversation looks at privilege, systemic barriers, and the importance of creating safe conditions for people to have honest discussions that may feel challenging.

Jackie and Joanne also examine what proactive allyship looks like in practice, including the courage to challenge harmful comments and the vulnerability to admit what we do not yet know. They reflect on how storytelling can educate while also risking tokenism if organisations treat difference as performance rather than embedding change into culture.

The episode closes with a vision of inclusion and belonging becoming so embedded in organisations that it no longer needs to be labelled as a separate initiative, supported by small, consistent behavioural steps taken by everyone.