278. Voice for the Voiceless: Why Inclusive Leadership Matters with Kelli Lester

The backlash against DEI has left many leaders unsure of how to champion inclusion in a politically charged environment. Kelli Lester, co-founder of Onyx Rising and seasoned diversity practitioner, brings clarity with a grounded, practical approach to creating workplaces where everyone truly belongs. Her journey began with a recruitment project that opened her eyes to deeper issues in workplace culture, revealing that representation without intentional inclusion often leads to high turnover among diverse talent.

Kelli’s philosophy evolved from advocating solely for underrepresented voices to engaging those in positions of power to drive lasting change. “Being a voice for the voiceless was my early mantra,” she shares, “but I realized that for real change to happen, I needed to spend more time with those in the majority.” Her seven behaviors of inclusive leadership—ranging from self-awareness and psychological safety to managing inclusively—offer a concrete framework for leaders seeking to move beyond performative gestures toward real cultural transformation.

In our conversation, Kelli also highlights the importance of understanding generational diversity in today’s multigenerational workforce. She encourages leaders to ask human-centered questions like, “What does a good day look like for you?”—underscoring that inclusive leadership means seeing the whole person, not just their demographics. With practical tools and powerful insights, this dialogue is a must for anyone ready to build teams where diverse talent can thrive and lead.

🌐 Connect with Kelli:
• Website: https://www.onyx2rise.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-lester-2302b9/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyx2rise/

Send us a text

Support the show

✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

📝 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode in the comments below.

🔔 Join us in our mission at The Leadership Project and learn more about our organisation here: https://linktr.ee/mickspiers

📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

If you would like a signed copy, please reach out to sei@mickspiers.com and we can arrange it for you too.

If you're thinking about starting a podcast or upgrading your hosting, Buzzsprout is a great option! This link will give both of us a $20 credit when you upgrade:

👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1701891

Create forms easily with Jotform! Sign up with my link: https://www.jotform.com/?referral=AkWimLxOBz

Get extra Dropbox space—sign up with my link: Dropbox Referral Link

Wise Referral link: https://wise.com/invite/dic/michaels11434

...