There’s a question I ask every leader I coach, usually somewhere in the first few sessions, and almost without exception it produces a pause that tells me everything.

The question is this: When did you last say something true that cost you something? 

Not true in the sense of factually accurate. True in the sense of honest. Honest about what you actually think, what you actually see, what you actually believe needs to change. True in the way that requires courage rather than just clarity.

The pause that follows isn’t nothing. It’s a leader meeting themselves.

Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) rolls around, bringing with it a flurry of LinkedIn posts, panel discussions, and corporate pledges to support women. Then, as quickly as it arrived, the moment passes, and many organisations go back to business as usual, without making any meaningful changes.

The sincerity in Ryan Clark's breakdown of why it's not cool for Black women to be the continued source of stereotypical jokes resonates deeply. His call to stop reducing Black women to unfair and harmful caricatures transcends borders, finding relevance here in the UK as much as in the U.S.

At Aquaintz Consulting, we believe in creating organisations where everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, feels empowered to thrive. Disability inclusion isn't just about compliance or meeting legal requirements; it's about creating environments where everyone can contribute their best work and reach their full potential.

Financial services organisations are being held to task by investors and the FCA. A common opinion is that Financial services are significantly behind on Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), and some have even gone as far as saying that a lot of what has been done so far in may organisations, has just been lip service.