5 Things Every Manager Gets Wrong About EDI (and what to do instead)
Practical, UK-specific steps to move from performative to embedded inclusion
Institutional racism, bias, and exclusion aren’t problems of the past; they’re still present in UK workplaces today. Too many organisations treat EDI as a tick-box exercise rather than a cultural shift.
Here are five common mistakes managers make and practical steps you can take to replace performative gestures with genuine, embedded inclusion – starting now.
Mistake 1: Treating EDI as HR’s job
The problem: It stays in policies and procedures but never reaches everyday practice.
Instead: Make EDI part of every meeting, project, and decision. Build it into job descriptions, appraisals, and team objectives.
Mistake 2: Relying on one-off training
The problem: A single 2-hour session with no follow-up will not change behaviour.
Instead: Commit to
- ongoing learning
- micro-learning sessions
- scenario-based case studies
- lived-experience Human Library talks.
Mistake 3: Using blanket terms like “BAME” in recruitment
The problem: This oversimplifies and erases individual identities.
Instead: Be specific and intentional – e.g., “We welcome applications from African Caribbean, Asian, and other ethnically diverse candidates.”
Mistake 4: Data without action
The problem: Collecting demographic data but never analysing it, using it to plan/inform practice or reporting or acting on it damages trust.
Instead: Share what you’ve learned and be transparent about the changes you are making as a result.
Mistake 5: Representation without power
The problem: Hiring diverse talents but excluding them from real influence.
Instead: Involve diverse voices in leadership, budgeting, and strategic planning, not just in symbolic roles.
Your Next Step
You’ve seen the top five mistakes, so the question is: Which one will you tackle first?
Download the full resource:
Manager’s 10-Point EDI Briefing: A practical, UK-focused checklist to embed inclusion into your day-to-day leadership.
Email: alyson@equalityanddiversity.co.uk
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Suggested Video to watch:
Understanding Microaggressions – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZahtlxW2CIQ