Over time, I’ve noticed something about the questions I’m asked most.
They aren’t about definitions.
They aren’t about awareness.
They’re about judgement.
What do I do when guidance conflicts?
How do I advocate without causing harm?
What does “good” look like when there isn’t a clear rulebook?
These questions matter because they show up after the basics. They come from people who care. People who’ve already done some learning. People who want to act thoughtfully, but are aware that real life is more complicated than principles on a slide.
Today I’m talking about:
Info: why inclusion often gets hardest after awareness
Tips: what helps when there’s no clear right answer
Recommendations: how I’m supporting people with this next step
Where inclusion actually gets difficult
Most inclusion work focuses on knowledge.
Learning new terms.
Understanding experiences.
Raising awareness.
That work is important. But it’s rarely where people get stuck.
As someone said in a workshop I ran last week “This is all really lovely, but…”
People often get stuck when:
two inclusive principles seem to clash
different people want different things
the “right” answer depends on context
doing nothing feels wrong, but acting feels risky
This is the point where judgement matters more than information.
And it’s also the point where many people quietly disengage. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re afraid of causing harm, being criticised, or getting it wrong.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, I agree with all of this in theory, but I don’t know what to do in practice, you’re not alone.
A few things that help when there’s no rulebook
Accept that discomfort is part of doing this work well
Let go of the idea that there’s always a single correct response
Focus on reducing harm rather than achieving perfection
Stay open to feedback without treating it as failure
Remember that judgement improves with practice, not certainty
Inclusion isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about staying engaged when the answers aren’t obvious.
Why I’ve created something new
This brings me to an update I want to share.
The free edition of The Differing Advantage will continue to focus on insight, reframing, and reflection, just as it always has.
But I’m so excited to announce that I’ve created a new paid edition, The Differing Advantage: In Practice, for the questions that come after that insight. The ones that show up in meetings, performance conversations, policies, and moments of pressure.
What you get inside In Practice
The Differing Advantage: In Practice is designed to support ongoing, applied thinking when things feel complex.
It includes:
a monthly deep-dive video, focused on one real-world scenario where judgement really matters
a monthly live advisory session, where I respond to subscriber questions and think through options together
access to a growing library of recordings and practical resources, so you can revisit topics as and when you need them
What this looks like in practice
To make this concrete, the first In Practice deep-dive video looks at a situation I’m asked about all the time.
What happens when someone discloses they’re neurodivergent after a performance management process has already started?
What does that disclosure change?
What doesn’t it change?
What should a manager pause, revisit, or hold steady?
And how do you balance fairness, accountability, and support without panicking or backtracking?
There’s rarely a policy answer to this. Just judgement, context, and a lot of pressure to get it right.
The first live advisory session will then be shaped around subscriber questions, submitted in advance. It’s a chance to bring the real situations you’re wrestling with and think them through together.
Questions will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
A small but important change
I want to be transparent about one thing.
I’ll no longer be sharing free practical resources in the free version of this newsletter.
The ideas, reflections, and mindset shifts will remain the same. But tools, downloads, and applied resources will now live inside In Practice.
This helps keep the free newsletter sustainable, while creating a dedicated space for those who want deeper, practical support.
If this feels relevant
In Practice is £25 per month (or £200 per year), and you can cancel at any time.
If you regularly find yourself navigating grey areas, second-guessing decisions, or wishing there was space to think through the “what do I do here?” questions, In Practice may be useful.
And if it’s not for you right now, that’s completely okay. The free edition of The Differing Advantage will continue as it is.
Inclusion is rarely about knowing more.
It’s about practising judgement, again and again.
Speak soon,
Jess
Differing Minds
PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:
Want me to speak or run a workshop in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.
Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.
PPS Here's a rather topical comment someone shared after a training session I recently delivered… "A great session, it really made me think about the use of language.” |