In this episode, Ishreen delves into the leadership lessons drawn from the historical figure Na'ila bint al-Furafisa, exploring her relevance to today's chief people officers, HR directors, and inclusion leaders. Ishreen highlights three key areas of leadership: crisis management, strategic communication, and maintaining integrity. By examining Naila's courageous actions during a time of crisis, her powerful use of symbolic communication, and her unwavering commitment to her values, Ishreen offers actionable insights for modern leaders facing challenges in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Leaders should take decisive action during challenging times, demonstrating courage and commitment to their core values, even when faced with significant pressures or threats to inclusion initiatives. Crafting narratives that resonate emotionally with stakeholders is crucial. It's not enough to present data; leaders must connect on a deeper level to inspire action and support for inclusion efforts. Maintaining integrity is essential, especially when faced with compromises that could dilute core values. Leaders should stand firm in their principles, even when it is difficult. Investing in mentorship opportunities for underrepresented voices is vital for fostering growth and ensuring diverse perspectives are included in leadership. Documenting the impact of inclusion initiatives and creating a sense of distributed ownership helps embed belonging into the organisation, making it resilient to changes in leadership or budget constraints. BEST MOMENTS "The legacy of change needs to be driven by you. So that's why we've created a step change for UK industry to help business leaders make a real difference." "It's that idea of taking decisive action when things get tough. It's about actually doing something to protect them, even when it's hard." "Na'ila's example suggests that sometimes holding firm to your principles, even when it's hard, is the most powerful thing you can do." "It's not just about presenting data. It's about framing a narrative that really connects with people." "What aspects of Na'ila's story resonate most deeply with your own leadership journey? And how can you apply these principles to your work?" VALUABLE RESOURCES Privilege Survey  https://intelligentlinking261447.typeform.com/to/SNkQvD0v Website: https://belongingpioneers.com/privilege-research-and-podcast Email: equitychampions@belongingpioneers.com ABOUT THE HOSTS Ishreen Bradley, a Strategic Pioneer, excels in guiding Professional Leaders through complex challenges with clarity, confidence, and courage. She focuses on cultivating inclusive cultures and authentic leadership, offering senior leaders advice, consultancy, training, and coaching. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishreenbradley-diversity-equity-inclusion-advisor Privilege, Eruption, Culture, Diversity, inclusion, Equity, diverse, cultural, impact, power: https://privilege-eruption.com