In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, here are twelve “gifts” every organisation can give their people. Each skill is a capability managers and learners can practise, and together they create a workplace that’s inclusive, resilient, and future-ready.
On the first day of learning… Self-awareness & bias recognition
The gift of noticing blind spots. Managers who recognise their biases make fairer, more transparent decisions.
On the second day of learning… Empathy & listening
The gift of space. Listening deeply allows lived experiences to shape decisions and builds trust.
On the third day of learning… Cultural competence
The gift of adaptability. Communicating across cultures ensures no one feels excluded by “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
On the fourth day of learning… Psychological safety
The gift of courage. Teams thrive when people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and learn from mistakes.
On the fifth day of learning… Inclusive communication
The gift of clarity. Captions, flexible meeting times, and accessible formats ensure everyone is included.
On the sixth day of learning… Fair decision making
The gift of transparency. Clear criteria for hiring, promotions, and assignments build credibility and trust.
On the seventh day of learning… Flexibility & accessibility
The gift of inclusion. Designing work and events to meet diverse needs supports neurodiverse and disabled colleagues.
On the eighth day of learning… Data literacy & accountability
The gift of insight. Tracking inclusion through surveys and disaggregated data ensures action is evidence-based.
On the ninth day of learning… Coaching & sponsorship
The gift of opportunity. Managers who sponsor underrepresented talent help careers flourish.
On the tenth day of learning… Allyship & advocacy
The gift of influence. Calling out unfair behaviour and removing barriers makes inclusion real.
On the eleventh day of learning… Systems thinking & change management
The gift of vision. Recognising how policies, incentives, and culture interact drives lasting change.
On the twelfth day of learning… Continuous practice
The gift of habit. Learning isn’t a one-off initiative - it’s a daily behaviour that shapes culture.
How Expert LMS wraps these gifts
Expert LMS helps organisations deliver these twelve skills not as abstract ideals, but as daily practice:
- Modular learning paths: Short, mobile-first modules that fit into busy schedules.
- Scenario practice: CreAIt simulations where managers rehearse decisions and get feedback on inclusive behaviours.
- Pulse & reporting tools: Quick surveys and dashboards that track whether behaviour changes are landing.
- Inclusive design: Accessible formats, captions, and neurodiversity-friendly layouts.
- Future-ready content: Courses aligned with emerging skills like sustainability, digital fluency, and inclusive leadership.
Conclusion
This festive season, the greatest gift organisations can give is learning. By embedding these twelve skills into everyday practice, managers don’t just improve morale - they future-proof their organisations. Expert LMS makes it possible to wrap these skills into accessible, engaging and measurable learning experiences.
Resources
McKinsey & Company – Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters (May 2020)
Findings on the financial outperformance of organisations with diverse leadership.
Boston Consulting Group – How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation (January 2018)
Research linking leadership diversity to increased innovation revenue.
FTSE Women Leaders Review – Annual Report (Data to October 2024)
Shows women now hold 35.3% of leadership roles across the FTSE 350.
Parker Review – Board Diversity Findings (Data to December 2023)
Reports that ethnic-minority directors now represent 19% of FTSE 100 board positions.
Deloitte – Disability Inclusion at Work (December 2024)
Survey outlining experiences of microaggressions, bullying, and harassment among disabled employees.
Diversio – Future of DEI in UK Workplaces (December 2024)
Indicates that 59% of UK employees feel organisations still have substantial work to do on DEI.
