In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Kate Fletcher, Inclusion Member Manager for Dial Global and a former DEI specialist in the Met Police.
In this chat we took off the filter and were honest about the realities of working in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. Not just in workplaces, but as human beings navigating the messy, imperfect, and sometimes uncomfortable world of DEI.
In our conversation, Kate shares her unique journey from frontline police work to DEI leadership, reflecting on missteps, lessons learned, and the rocky road that’s led her (and so many of us) into this field.
We explore what it really means to be “human” while doing this work, the need for constant learning (and unlearning), and why it’s crucial to examine not just what we get right, but where we get it wrong.
Three key takeaways from this episode:
The importance of context and lived experience: Both Kate and I share how our routes into DEI were fuelled by moments that made us feel angry, excluded, or overlooked, reminding us that no one ends up in this work by accident.
Being complicit in problematic cultures: We talk about the survival tactics we used in challenging environments, from going along with “banter” to keeping quiet in the face of microaggressions, and the internal reckonings that prompted us to make noise and act differently, despite the risks.
The real work of inclusion is messy: Whether it’s challenging organisational structures, redefining who gets heard in networks, or checking our own biases, genuine progress is rarely neat. It involves acknowledging our own past mistakes, calling out systemic problems, and learning to create psychologically safe spaces for honest conversation.
A question for you to reflect on as you listen:
Where in your own work or life have you accommodated the comfort of others at the expense of your own values? What would need to be different for you to choose otherwise next time?
Things we said we'd include in this episode's show notes:
Kate Fletcher's LinkedIn profile (for anyone wanting to connect with her directly)
If you’d like to support the show and help keep Speaking of Inclusion funded, please head over to coff.ee/speakingofinclusion and buy me a virtual coffee. Your support is always appreciated!
Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen.
Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations.
www.KatieAllenConsulting.com
Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds – "No Drama" by Alder