Not Everyone Belongs. Inclusion is Broken.

By Raatha Ganesh, Black Dog Consultants.

Inclusion is broken, not in theory, but in practice.

It’s become a hollow buzzword;  overused, misapplied, and stripped of its power. In many organisations, it’s reduced to well-meaning checklists or symbolic gestures that create more noise than progress.

The issue isn’t intent. It’s execution. We’ve mistaken open doors for open hearts. We’ve confused invitation with empowerment. It’s time to do better.

At Black Dog Consultants, we’ve seen firsthand that inclusion isn’t about inviting everyone. It’s about creating purposeful spaces where the right voices are heard, where dissent is welcomed and where meaningful progress can happen.

Inspired by Priya Parker’s concept of generous exclusion, we believe it’s time to get specific, deliberate and courageous about who we invite to the table and why.

Why Inclusion is Failing

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: inclusion, as it’s often practised, isn’t working.

1. Too many voices, not enough focus
   Inviting everyone into the room may sound democratic, but it often leads to overcrowded discussions where nothing gets resolved. Not everyone needs to be there and trying to please everyone ends up pleasing no one.
2. Performative over practical
   Inclusion has become performative, inviting people for optics rather than purpose. When participants feel like tokens, trust is eroded and the space becomes counterproductive.
3. Confusing presence over participation
   Simply inviting someone doesn’t mean they feel empowered to contribute. Inclusion is meaningless if we don’t create conditions for psychological safety, where every voice can be heard without fear of judgment.

A Lesson from Crisis Response

One of the most potent examples of intentional inclusion comes from crisis response teams. In times of disaster, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Decisions must be made quickly, with lives on the line. Yet these teams don’t default to inviting everyone involved. They’re ruthlessly deliberate about who needs to be in the room.

For example, when coordinating disaster relief for a flood or earthquake, the room isn’t filled with people for symbolic reasons. Instead, every participant is chosen with a purpose:

• Local community leaders who understand the on-ground realities.
• Engineers who can assess infrastructure damage.
• Logistics experts who can coordinate supply chains.

Those who aren’t immediately relevant to the solution aren’t invited - not because their voices don’t matter, but because they aren’t critical to the specific goal of that meeting. The result? A focused, action-oriented gathering where decisions are made and progress is made.

Now, imagine if we approached corporate gatherings with the same level of intentionality. What if every meeting, workshop or brainstorming session started by asking: Who needs to be here to achieve the outcome?

Generous exclusion, as Priya Parker describes, is about curating spaces, not filling them indiscriminately. She states, “The more is not always merrier” and we agree.

Here’s how we can do it:

1. Get specific about purpose
   Before planning a gathering, ask: Why are we here? A generic goal like “team alignment” isn’t enough. Be specific about the outcomes you want and design the space accordingly.
2. Curate, don’t crowd
   Inclusion doesn’t mean inviting everyone. Be intentional about who needs to be in the room and whose voices are critical to the conversation. It’s not exclusion. It’s focus.
3. Design for psychological safety
   Once you’ve curated the room, ensure it’s a space where people feel safe to speak up. Set ground rules, manage power dynamics and encourage quieter voices to contribute.
4. Embrace constructive tension
   Generous exclusion doesn’t shy away from conflict. When managed well, disagreement sparks innovation. Create spaces where it’s safe to challenge ideas without personal attacks.
5. Prioritise meaningful engagement
   Don’t just invite people; engage them. Whether it’s structured activities or open dialogue, ensure that every participant has a meaningful role.

We live in a polarised world where it's easy to get caught in echo chambers, with conversations pulled to extremes. Without spaces for real dialogue, debate and learning, it becomes harder to find the common ground that moves us forward. 

Generous exclusion is the middle path. It’s not about avoiding discomfort or bending to extremes. It’s about creating spaces where real conversations can happen. When we plan gatherings with purpose and intentionality, we move beyond the noise to develop trust, connection and progress.

The next time you plan a meeting, event or a gathering, ask yourself:

• Why are we gathering?
• Who needs to be in the room—and who doesn’t?
• How will we ensure every voice feels empowered to contribute?

It’s time to rethink inclusion. It’s not about inviting everyone—it’s about inviting the right people, for the right reasons, to create the right outcomes.

When we do this well, we move beyond the buzzword to make inclusion real, meaningful and transformative.

Want to keep the conversation going?  Connect with us on LinkedIn or explore more at blackdog-consultants.com. We push the boundaries of corporate learning, so the organisations that partner with us, dare to achieve more.

About Raatha
As a certified organisational coach, emotional intelligence master practitioner and positive mental health instructor, Raatha's passion lies in empowering leaders and teams to unlock their full potential through growth, inclusion and well-being. Unwaveringly authentic and deeply human, Raatha’s approach leaves a ripple effect of positive change wherever she goes. She strives to leave people better than she found them, igniting their drive to achieve greatness.

Connect with her on LinkedIn or contact her on our website.