Conscious Inclusion: How to ‘Do’ EDI, One Decision at a Time by Catherine Garrod - Non Fiction - Paperback

Title:
Conscious Inclusion: How to ‘do’ EDI, one decision at a time

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781788604284

Overview:
Conscious Inclusion is not a single policy, but a daily practice. Catherine Garrod delivers a practical playbook for turning inclusion from abstract ideal into concrete action. The core idea is simple: unless you consciously include people, you are unconsciously excluding them. The book presents 99 decisions you can make in ordinary moments—during meetings, assignments, feedback conversations, recruitment shortlists, client interactions, and everyday collaboration. Each decision is paired with five simple habits to anchor inclusive thinking: for instance, inviting underrepresented voices, checking biases before sharing opinions, and clarifying how decisions affect different groups. Together, these decisions and habits create an accessible framework for leaders at all levels who want to embed EDI into daily routines rather than rely on sweeping reforms. Garrod also emphasises the importance of social accountability by developing lightweight reporting to track progress across departments, ensuring that inclusion efforts are visible and measurable. The tone is practical and encouraging, balancing evidence with empathy. This is a practical field guide for busy professionals who want to improve outcomes for colleagues, customers, and communities, with a clear path from awareness to everyday action.

What Makes This Book Stand Out:
Garrod’s approach stands out in its insistence on doing inclusion in bite-sized steps. Rather than grand declarations or expensive programmes, Conscious Inclusion equips readers with 99 concrete decisions that can be practiced in the flow of work. Each decision is pragmatic, relevant across industries, and accompanied by a habit that reinforces the intended outcome. This book also foregrounds accountability: Garrod shows how lightweight, department-level reporting can reveal where progress is happening and where gaps persist, turning inclusive intent into measurable impact. The book’s voice blends experience with evidence, drawing on real-world organisational challenges from onboarding to promotion and client relations. It is equally useful to a chief diversity officer refining a strategy and to a team member seeking a more inclusive daily routine. The writing is accessible without diluting nuance, inviting experimentation, reflection, and iteration. For readers new to EDI, the book demystifies terms; for practitioners, it provides a ready-to-use toolkit that can be embedded in performance reviews, meeting norms, and daily decision-making. In short, Conscious Inclusion translates theory into practice you can apply this week.

Who This Book Is Perfect For:
Whether you’re a senior leader shaping inclusion policy or a frontline manager striving to improve daily interactions, this book speaks to anyone responsible for a lived experience at work. It’s ideal for HR and DEI professionals seeking practical tools, team coaches looking for ready-made actions, and educators aiming to foster equitable classroom and workplace cultures. Small- and medium-sized organisations will appreciate a scalable approach that fits with busy schedules and limited budgets, while larger organisations can integrate the 99 decisions into ongoing leadership development and performance conversations. The language is non-technical, making the concepts accessible to people at all levels, including those new to EDI. If you’re searching for a concise, repeatable method to move from awareness to action, this book offers a clear path and tangible outcomes you can start implementing immediately.

Key Highlights:

• 99 practical decisions to embed EDI in daily work
• Five simple habits to anchor inclusive thinking
• Lightweight, trackable reporting to show progress
• Actionable guidance for managers, HR teams, and leaders
• Grounded in real-world workplace scenarios
• Clear path from awareness to everyday action
• Accessible language with practical, repeatable steps

About the Author:
Catherine Garrod is the founder of Compelling Culture, a consultancy focused on turning inclusive principles into everyday practice. She is the author of Conscious Inclusion and a respected voice on how organisations can close experience gaps for colleagues from underrepresented groups. Garrod works with businesses to assess whether underrepresented employees are having the same positive experiences as others, then designs targeted actions to close gaps and improve experiences for staff, customers, and communities. Her approach blends practical diagnostics with hands-on implementation, offering leaders tangible steps to embed inclusion into hiring, promotion, onboarding, and everyday interactions. As a guest lecturer for executive MBA programmes at Cambridge Judge Business School, she shares evidence-based insights and a field-tested toolkit that organisations can adopt immediately to create more equitable cultures.

Why You’ll Love This Book:
If you’re seeking a practical, no-nonsense guide to inclusive leadership, Conscious Inclusion delivers. Its bite-sized decisions fit into busy calendars, while its five habits offer simple, repeatable patterns that change how teams listen, decide, and act. The book’s emphasis on lived experiences—listening to voices that have historically been sidelined and measuring progress through approachable reporting—resonates with professionals who want real-world impact, not empty promises. The clear language, real-world scenarios, and actionable steps make it a reliable reference for both new and seasoned practitioners. Perfect as a quick-start resource for managers, a learning tool for apprentices, or a thoughtful gift for colleagues committed to building fairer workplaces.

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