The BBC has faced intense scrutiny over its workplace culture in recent years. From misconduct and racist language on MasterChef, to bullying and drug use on Strictly Come Dancing, and controversies involving high-profile figures like Huw Edwards—not to mention the legacy of Jimmy Savile—the organisation has been under pressure to reform.

In response, the BBC has launched initiatives aimed at improving its internal culture.

We prefer the human touch. We prefer to talk with you to fully understand your needs and be responsive to them and any challenges which can emerge along the way.

As someone who supports a number of arts organisations to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive, you might expect me to agree with the sentiments in The Stage’s latest article, and I do. But I wanted to add some of my own thoughts to it. If the arts industry needs an overhaul to boost leadership diversity, how do we do it?

Lots of organisations created Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in the form of working groups, steering groups and committees at the start of their EDI journey. These groups are around 3-5 years old now, and we are often approached by clients wanting to know how best to use them after the first throws of their EDI commitment.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work is often framed as something we do “out there”, in organisations, in systems, in communities. But the truth is that it starts much closer to home. Self‑reflection invites us to slow down, notice our patterns, and understand how our stories shape the way we lead, collaborate and make decisions. It’s a practice of honesty, humility and care. And without it, EDI work becomes performative rather than transformative. In this piece, I share why self‑reflection is essential, and what it makes possible.

Given the amount of information in the public domain about the benefits of creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, it would be understandable if you have the impression that creating such a place is easy and nirvana like. However, we as EDI professionals need to be careful that we don’t make this work appear to be simple and friction free.