Success Leaves Clues Ep. 286 - Inclusive Leadership Isn’t What You Think with Stewart Whittingham, Director of Culture and Belonging at Miller Thomson
Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonald · 2026-03-19 · 29 min
Episode notes
In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with Stewart Whittingham , Director of Culture and Belonging at Miller Thomson, to explore one of the most overlooked challenges in leadership today: the gap between the culture leaders believe they are creating and what employees actually experience. With nearly 30 years of experience in leadership, talent strategy, and inclusion, Stewart brings a thoughtful and practical perspective to the conversation, grounded in both strategy and lived experience. The discussion reveals a critical truth: many organizations are committed to inclusion, yet struggle to translate that commitment into consistent, everyday experiences for their people. Stewart explains how gaps in awareness, psychological safety, and leadership behavior can quietly undermine culture, even in organizations with strong values and clear intentions. He also highlights how belonging drives engagement, performance, and better decision-making across teams.