Stream: Virtual Room 3
Time: 10:00 - 10:45
Supermarkets have been telling us for years that we, as consumers, are demanding our fruit and vegetables to be perfect, to all be the same size, shape, and colour. Consequently, millions upon millions of tonnes of perfectly good apples, carrots, potatoes, and courgettes are being discarded each year.
Yet when we dive deeper, we find that these discarded items still have the same crunch and are still as nutritional, the potatoes make perfectly good French Fries – our fruit and veg does not have to conform to this very narrow visual standard as we’ve been led to believe.
As recruiters and talent acquisition professionals are we potentially discarding candidates who do not fit this idealistic mould, the belief that meritocracy is fair and works for all – our biases, perspectives, and preconceptions of the way we have always hired to meet this narrow definition of ideal is discounting perfectly good candidates from diverse, marginalised, and underrepresented background and communities. We are even led to believe that hiring for diversity is hiring for second best.
By stepping back and questioning perspectives, biases and challenging the old mantras of “we hire the best person for the role” we can start to be Consciously Inclusive, to open our thoughts to candidates who may not look the same but have perfectly valid skills, passions, and motivations to success in a role (and a bit of crunch).
In this session Joanne gives her thoughts as to why the approach currently taken by many organisations is broken. Many of our biases are conscious and it is therefore the responsibility of organisations to develop this conscious inclusion culture and vision to recognise the value of all people. Joanne challenges thinking and highlights strategies for a starting point on this journey, the destination is up to you!
Key Take Aways…
How to challenge yourself to think inclusively
Why simply hiring diverse talent will not work if the organisations culture is not fit for purpose.
How tiny changes can make a significant impact to achieving an organisations D&I vision
There is currently no attachment for Your Journey to Conscious inclusion
Joanne Lockwood is a renowned Keynote Speaker, Thought Leader, and authority on Inclusion & Belonging, with a unique journey from a successful career in IT/STEM to becoming a trusted expert in HR and People Consulting. Her approach combines deep professional expertise with personal lived experience, offering insights that are not only engaging but transformative for organisations looking to create truly inclusive cultures. In addition to delivering powerful keynotes, Joanne writes for leading publications such as HRZone, The HRD, Training Zone, and Worklife PA. She also hosts the highly regarded “Inclusion Bites” podcast, where she explores vital conversations about improving the world and workplace for all. Joanne’s credibility stems not only from her extensive knowledge but also from her life journey as a transgender woman. She embodies the principles of inclusivity and equity that she champions, making her a dynamic speaker who brings both empathy and authority to the stage. Joanne’s lived experience, combined with her professional insights, makes her a living testament to the power of embracing diversity and fostering cultures where people can thrive—not just survive—in the world of work. Guided by her mantra of Smile | Engage | Educate, Joanne is dedicated to promoting #PositivePeopleExperiences, helping organisations move past performative engagement to develop actionable, inclusive strategies that drive real change
Click here to give some Feedback so we can make it even better next year!