Building Inclusive Leadership in Action: Lessons from AHRI’s DEI Week

October 14–16 marks Australian HR Institute’s (AHRI) DEI Week 2025, focused on the theme Inclusive Leadership in Action. The week invites leaders across Australia to move beyond awareness and embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into everyday decisions. 

Creating a workplace that values fairness, belonging and respect requires leaders to model inclusion through their behaviour, language and decision-making. 

Why Inclusive Leadership Matters 

Inclusive leadership is not a trend; it is a vital skill for modern organisations. When leaders demonstrate empathy, curiosity and accountability, teams become more innovative, engaged and resilient. 

According to Deloitte, inclusive teams are six times more likely to be innovative and twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals. This shows that inclusion directly influences performance as well as culture. 

Yet many leaders struggle to translate DEI principles into practice. Subtle bias, inconsistent communication and cultural blind spots can undermine inclusion even in well-meaning teams. That is why structured learning and reflection are essential. 

From Awareness to Action 

GRC Solutions’ Workplace Behaviours  and Unconscious Bias course is designed to make inclusion practical. Delivered through our Salt LMS or your incumbent LMS, this program uses realistic scenarios to help leaders and employees: 

• Recognise and address bias in decision-making 
• Promote psychological safety and respectful communication 
• Respond appropriately to discrimination or misconduct 
• Embed inclusive thinking into policies, recruitment and team management 

By equipping staff with the tools and confidence to act inclusively, organisations can shift from compliance-based training to culture-driven behaviour change. 

Leading with Inclusion 

Inclusion is not achieved through statements or policies alone. It is demonstrated through consistent, conscious choices listening before speaking, empowering diverse voices, and holding oneself accountable. 

As leaders and teams participate in DEI Week 2025, it is the perfect time to reflect on what inclusion means in practice and how training can turn good intentions into measurable progress. 

Learn More 

To strengthen your organisation’s commitment to inclusion, explore GRC Solutions’ Workplace Behaviours course and Unconscious Bias course.