January 19 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Advance Inclusion in your workplace
Lead the way to create inclusive workplaces with expert support, tailored resources, and a vibrant member community. Inclusive Employers membership gives you the tools and insights to advance inclusion and make a lasting impact.
Humans are social creatures, one of our deepest-wired behaviours is to build a social circle. Building our social circle helps us feel grounded, safe and connected. However, we need to be aware of the pitfalls that can come with the networks we build.
Usually, we form our networks around shared experience: where we work, where we live, common interests, and our background. These networks influence our perspectives, beliefs, and ideas. This can be really positive for us: we access community, support and connection. However, the risk is that without diverse networks our perspective on the world is very narrow. If left unchecked, this can mean we fail to truly ‘see’ other people and become disconnected from our capacity for empathy and curiosity.
That’s why this National Inclusion Week our fourth daily action is ‘The power of a diverse network: expand your circle’. We’ve shared some of the benefits of a diverse network in this blog, and you can take a look at our Daily Action activities to expand this further.
The benefits of a diverse network: embracing different perspectives
At its core, developing a diverse network is about expanding your perspective of the world around you. Imagine a recent work challenge you faced as a 3d object. When you look at the object you can only see one side at a time, your view of the challenge is limited. However, if you have other people in the room with you, together you can get a three-dimensional view of the challenge and therefore more chance of solving it. A diverse network can help you develop a wide range of different perspectives on the world.
The benefits of a diverse network: ideas and innovation
The saying ‘if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’ applies to your network too. If the people around you see the world the same way you do, the likelihood of groupthink increases. In today’s workplace and complex fast-moving world, we need innovation and disruption. If you’re a leader or in any decision-making position this is even more vital: can you be sure that you aren’t surrounded by people who say ‘yes’ to you regardless of the merit in your proposals? Who could the ‘unusual suspects’ be for you, that you could bring in as critical friends on your work? How could you invite and reward different perspectives?
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National Inclusion Week sponsorship
The benefits of a diverse network: new opportunities
Think about your current LinkedIn connections. How diverse are they in terms of race, gender, disability, nationality, even sector? A more diverse network brings with it new opportunities. This could be for collaboration, for instance you may want to set up a networking discussion group for you and your peers; to investigate your next career move; to broaden your talent pipeline or to learn something new.
Social media algorithms tend to give us similar content to what we engage with: this can mean our ‘feed’ becomes an echo chamber. However, you can make the algorithm work for you. Start following and engaging with different content and more will be recommended to you. There are plenty of interesting and engaging people of colour, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people on these and more sharing their perspectives on these platforms.
The benefits of a diverse network: personal growth
Finally, developing your network to be more diverse supports your personal growth. As humans we understand the world via the people around us. If we open our minds to other people’s identities, experiences and cultures we can grow and change. We deepen our empathy, we gain a broader view of the world, and we can approach things differently. The rewards are deep and lifelong.
And finally…
Before you embark on a LinkedIn networking spree, take a breath.
Think about what outcome you want. Do you want to hear different voices? Deepen connections in your industry? Look for mentors, or be someone’s mentor?
It’s important to approach this thoughtfully: you aren’t collecting connections like a diversity shopping list. The aim here is to be open and curious, and to build connections with people outside your usual circles. Look for common ground: you could be in the same job role or sector. Aim to build a connection, not be tokenistic or one-sided. It’s a two-way relationship.
We would love to hear how you have expanded your network this National Inclusion Week or how having a diverse network has worked for you. Please share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Our upcoming events
January 22 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Understanding mental health at work
January 27 2026 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Bitesize: Inclusion and resilience for passion or profession
January 28 2026 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Member roundtable – January 2026 – Translating inclusion trends into practice, a 2026 roadmap
February 3 2026 @ 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Senior leader in-person roundtable: Inclusive by design – Elevating your people strategy for organisational success
February 5 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Equality Action Plans: Turning compliance into action
February 11 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bridging beliefs: How to foster faith-friendly workplaces
February 18 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Breaking barriers: How LGBTQ+ history shapes today’s workplace
February 24 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Bitesize allyship: Turn intent into action in 3 steps
February 25 2026 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Member roundtable – February 2026 – Closing the gap: Sharing best practice on gender pay gap action plans
March 9 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
International Women’s Day 2026 – Women leading the way: Lessons for a more equal future
March 12 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
From awareness to action: Tackling islamophobia in the workplace
March 18 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Breaking the myths: A deeper conversation on neurodiversity
March 25 2026 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Member roundtable – March 2026 – Embedding inclusive behaviours: What works in organisational change
March 31 2026 @ 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Bitesize allyship: 3 ways to make a real difference for trans colleagues
Advance Inclusion in your workplace
Lead the way to create inclusive workplaces with expert support, tailored resources, and a vibrant member community. Inclusive Employers membership gives you the tools and insights to advance inclusion and make a lasting impact.
Further National Inclusion Week blogs
Last minute ways to get involved in National Inclusion Week® 2025
Leading through National Inclusion Week®: How senior teams can set the tone
The history of National Inclusion Week®
How to make your National Inclusion Week® activities count
Why ‘Now Is the Time’ to recommit to inclusive workplaces
Top tips for getting ready for National Inclusion Week® 2025
Get ready for National Inclusion Week® – announcing the theme for 2025
Celebrating Success: The 2024 Inclusive Employers Standard accreditation
Beyond the numbers: how data fuels impactful inclusion
Inclusive Employers announce the theme for National Inclusion Week® 2024
National Inclusion Week 2023 – thank you for Taking Action and Making Impact
How to keep the momentum going after National Inclusion Week
How we have empowered people to take action for inclusion by Warner Media
How we engage employees in inclusion at Correla
Why inclusion in the workplace is an essential part of our culture in the NHS
Why Take Action and Make an Impact on Inclusion, matters to Correla
NHS Employers joins as a sponsor for National Inclusion Week 2023