Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world? Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives. You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share stories that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in? Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.

So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites. Today is episode 139 with the title Turning Lead into Gold, and I have the absolute honor and privilege to welcome John Sands. John is a certified ERG trainer who employs. Sorry, empowers, no less employee resource groups leaders, to unlock their full potential. Drawing on his vast experience as a founder, leader and ally, he brings a fresh and impactful perspective to creating inclusive workplaces that celebrate diversity and drive meaningful change. When I asked John to describe his superpower, he said empathy, with the added alchemy of transforming challenges into golden opportunities for connections and growth. Hello, John.

Welcome to the show.

Hello, Jo. And thank you very much for inviting me. It's a privilege to come onto your podcast.

Yeah, it was great. I say we randomly met. I mean, in the world scale of things. It wasn't a planned meeting. I was invited to a function you were co hosting in London and we got chatting and in fact, we found we had a lot in common. Similar age, similar military background, similar outlook on life.

Yeah. And similar place of living as well. So we're not far. Neighbors. Almost.

I'd say almost neighbours. Yeah. We've got the same weather. If we look out the window.

It's been snowing this morning. Yes. Yeah. And very, very cold. So I'm wrapping up and the heating is on and it's all. Yeah. Snuggled down to get some warmth in my bones.

Yeah. So where are we? We're sort of midway through November or later. Later in November, actually, in 2024. So, yeah, it's a bit of an early cold snap.

Yes. Yeah, absolutely.

John turning lead into gold.

Tell me what. Yeah, you sent me the questions and you asked my superpower and as is. I couldn't just say, well, it's to empower ergs et cetera, which obviously it is. But I wanted to put something in there about turning lead into gold, and now you brought me to task with that. So I've now got to think of what I mean. So if I was to use that for my professional role, it would be taking ideas and putting them into something that you can use and make a difference. So when I'm working with employee resource groups, you can call them ergs, call them, you know, business resource groups, call them affinity groups, whatever you want to call them, and taking these ideas and joining the dots with these people. And it's not normally me creating that goal.

The goal is created by the people that, you know that I'm teaching. So I'm. Or not teaching, or just could be facilitating, if you like, but getting these people to speak and to take an idea and make it real and for it to really make a difference in the workplace. And we were chatting, Jo, before we started recording this, about how the ERGs can make a difference within an organization is exactly that. By making these people, not making them, but helping these people to make good what they want to be doing with their community groups. So I would say that would be. That would be gold, really. And like I say, the gold is created by other people, not me.

I'm sure we've got people listening who probably not familiar with the raison d'etre of a ERG employee resource group, staff network. How do they manifest themselves? What's their purpose in the world?