Hello PPMA members and friends

#PPMAHR24 is next week and to conclude our series of ‘teaser posts’ from some of our speakers, we hear from Bernadette Thompson OBE. Bernadette is a trailblazing leader in the field of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), currently serving as the Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and as an Associate Facilitator for the CQ Centre. With an impressive career spanning 23 years in the Civil Service, she has left an indelible mark on the inclusion landscape of various UK Government Departments and Agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, HM Treasury, Legal Aid Agency, Cabinet Office, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities. Below she gives us a little insight into what she will be covering in her session.

Leaders of today are faced with a shifting landscape, where traditional skills alone are no longer sufficient. In addition to the conventional leadership attributes, embracing inclusion-focused values and traits is paramount in navigating diverse corporate environments. In this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, a high IQ alone doesn’t cut it. Leaders must possess a balanced blend of emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence to effectively lead and unite diverse teams.

During my talk, I will leverage the Deloitte framework – the six signature traits of inclusive leaders – to delve into the essential elements of fostering an inclusive culture. This session will encourage introspection among leaders, prompting them to contemplate actionable steps they can take to evolve into truly inclusive leaders. As leaders, it’s imperative to recognize the importance of cultural intelligence in bridging organizational, international, and professional cultures in the 21st century.

Expect an engaging, interactive and reflective session infused with humour as I guide PPPA conference attendees through a journey of self-discovery. I am eager to inspire attendees to explore how they can cultivate inclusivity within themselves and their leadership practices.

Bernadette’s session is on Wednesday 24th April at 15:45 to 16:30 and if you would like to join Bernadette and all of the other speakers at #PPMAHR24, then you can find out more and book here.

Bernadette Thompson OBE, Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and keynote speaker at the PPMA Conference