Inclusive Leadership: The Small Leadership Moments That Matter
Why do some teams consistently outperform others, even when they have similar talent, experience and resources?
The answer often isn't strategy, structure or capability. It's how people experience leadership every single day.
In this episode, I'm joined by Kristy Macfarlane, Deputy CEO of Diversity Partners, executive coach and one of Australia's leading experts in inclusive leadership. Over the past decade, Kristy has helped hundreds of organisations build workplaces where people feel respected, trusted and able to contribute at their best. Before joining Diversity Partners, she led Diversity and Inclusion at NAB and has held leadership, talent and capability roles across Australia and the UK.
This conversation goes well beyond diversity and inclusion.
We explore the everyday leadership behaviours that shape team culture. The decisions leaders make in recruitment, performance conversations, promotions, meetings and feedback all influence whether people feel safe to contribute or quietly begin to disengage.
Kristy shares practical examples that any leader can apply immediately. From reducing unconscious bias and creating fairer opportunities to encouraging different perspectives and strengthening psychological safety, this episode is full of practical leadership ideas that improve both team performance and wellbeing.
In this episode, we cover:
What inclusive leadership actually looks like in practice
The six behaviours shared by highly inclusive leaders
Why psychological safety starts with everyday leadership decisions
How unconscious bias influences recruitment, promotions and performance reviews
Why leaders should focus on culture add instead of culture fit
The "moments that matter" that shape trust and belonging
Practical ways to support neurodiverse team members
How AI could reduce bias or unintentionally reinforce it
What "Sunflower Bias" is and why leaders should stop speaking first in meetings
One simple question every leader can ask to better support their team
Perhaps the biggest idea running through this conversation is that culture isn't created through policies or annual initiatives. It's built through hundreds of small leadership choices that most people barely notice.
Who gets invited into the discussion.
Who receives the stretch opportunity.
Whose opinion gets heard.
Whether curiosity replaces assumption.
Those moments shape whether people feel confident to contribute, challenge ideas and do their best work.
If you're leading people, this conversation will encourage you to look at your own leadership through a different lens.
Where to get the book, Thriving Leaders: Learn the Skills to Lead Confidently:
Physical: Purchase here
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Audio: Audible Spotify
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– Visit: www.thrivingculture.com.au
