Infusing Empathy

Joanne Lockwood is joined by DEI and storytelling collaborators Rita Hallgató and Fiona Dawson to explore what it means to “infuse empathy” into workplace inclusion efforts.

They discuss how personal storytelling can help colleagues understand one another beyond surface differences, and why creating trust and psychological safety is essential if people are going to share lived experience in a corporate setting. The conversation also looks at the current backlash and budget cuts around DEI, arguing for a shift in mindset from viewing inclusion as a cost to treating it as an investment tied to better people experiences, retention, and performance.

Fiona shares lessons from her filmmaking work, including projects spotlighting transgender service members, and how those experiences translate into creating spaces where people feel seen and heard at work. Rita and Joanne consider practical levers inside organisations—such as breaking down silos between DEI, HR, and marketing; building authentic ERG participation; and improving inclusive hiring—so inclusion becomes embedded in culture rather than treated as a standalone initiative.

Across the episode, the central message is that empathy is not just personal—it’s a foundation for sustainable culture change and more inclusive leadership.