Championing Diversity: Mo Kanjilal’s Blueprint for Inclusive Workplaces

S1:E10 - In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Mo Kanjilal, a dynamic leader in diversity, inclusion, and leadership. Mo shares her personal journey from growing up as a shy child in East Anglia to becoming a TEDx speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and co-founder of Watch This Sp_ce. She reflects on her experiences navigating male-dominated industries, often being the only woman or person of colour in the room, and how these challenges ignited her passion for creating inclusive workplaces.

Mo discusses pivotal moments in her career, such as defying stereotypes in the tech industry and leading global sales teams, and highlights how these experiences shaped her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. She shares insights from her new book, The Inclusion Journey, emphasising that creating inclusive workplaces is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and engagement from everyone in the organisation.

Throughout the conversation, Mo offers practical advice for business leaders looking to improve diversity and inclusion in their organisations, drawing on real-life case studies and her experiences running Watch This Sp_ce. She also touches on the importance of storytelling in driving change and her passion for mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on leadership, inclusion, and the steps organisations can take to create environments where everyone can thrive, delivered with Mo’s blend of personal experience, resilience, and practical strategies.

Key Learnings

Diversity and Inclusion is an Ongoing Journey, Not a One-Time Fix
Mo emphasises that creating inclusive workplaces requires continuous effort and engagement from everyone in the organisation. It's not about ticking a box or filling out a form—leaders must commit to ongoing learning and actions to foster an environment where all employees can thrive.

The Power of Storytelling in Driving Change
Mo highlights the importance of storytelling in making diversity and inclusion relatable and impactful. By sharing personal experiences, organisations can not only engage their teams but also make complex issues more understandable, inspiring real change and helping individuals connect with the broader mission.

Guest Information
https://www.watchthisspace.uk/
Mo (Mousumi) Kanjilal | LinkedIn

Chapters

• 2:30 Introduction
• 3:22 Finding My Voice: From Shy Child to Confident Leader
• 5:27 Breaking into the Corporate World: Thriving as the Only Woman of Colour
• 6:27 Defying Expectations: Overcoming Discrimination and Proving My Worth
• 12:50 Inspiring Change: The Birth of Watch This Space
• 21:19 The Inclusion Journey: Creating Lasting Change in the Workplace
• 23:36 The Power of Storytelling: Driving Change Through Personal Experience
• 26:48 Looking Forward: New Projects and Future Goals