Leading with Empathy: Em Ledger’s Blueprint for Inclusive Leadership
In an inspiring conversation on our #TechIsForEveryone podcast, Em Ledger, former Group Product Manager at the BBC, shared her unconventional path into technology, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the need for genuine inclusivity in the tech industry.
Read on for valuable insights for organisations striving to create more diverse and neuroinclusive workplaces
Em’s Backstory: From Entrepreneur to Tech Leader
After launching her own business, Em found herself increasingly drawn to making a change in technology. This transition was not just about acquiring technical skills, but about embracing a mindset that values problem-solving, innovation, and most importantly – empathy.
“As a product manager, a lot of it is communicating - telling a story, bringing people along, stakeholder management, and you are constantly presenting things.”
She continues, “But the most valuable skill is actually empathy. In Product, you’re working with different people, skillsets, communication styles so fundamentally you’ve got to have empathy for the stakeholders but also the end user. Everyone needs to identify with that vision. So, if you can get into their shoes, understand the friction and problems they’re facing, that gives you the motivation.”
Em’s journey highlights how diverse backgrounds can introduce fresh perspectives and lead to more human-centered innovation in the tech industry.
Embracing Neurodiversity in Tech
A significant part of Em’s advocacy is centred around neurodiversity. In this podcast episode, she highlights the importance of recognising and accommodating the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace.
“I have dyscalculia, which is maths dyslexia – and for a STEM career it’s not what you’d imagine. It’s so important for visibility and working with STEM pipelines to tell people there's loads of cool areas to work in tech.”
Em's perspective is a call to action for organisations to move beyond those tokenistic diversity initiatives and to implement meaningful changes that support diverse employees.
Moving Beyond “Tick-Box” Diversity
Em challenges the tech industry, particularly senior management teams, to go beyond superficial diversity efforts and commit to real inclusion – engaging with diverse individuals and making systematic, lasting changes that support people’s success in tech. Not just as a compliance measure but as a commitment to creating an inclusive culture.
“When senior leadership teams say, ‘we would like 30% of our workforce to be disabled’, I just find it really insensitive. Yes, you have quotas to fill but make it more organic. That’s where we need to put the energy.”
She continues, “Don’t just get people in for paper, figures, we want them to be in because that’s what makes all our products better. The research has all been done – high performing teams – and we’re creating technology FOR people. Let’s diversify our teams. Let’s make better tech for everybody. The way to do that? Human led.”
Practical Steps for Inclusive Leadership
For organisations looking to adapt Em's approach, consider these following strategies:
Offer Flexibility: Accommodate different work styles with options like flexible hours or remote work.
Provide Tailored Support: Understand that one-size-fits-all solutions are often ineffective. Work with diverse employees to identify and implement reasonable adjustments that support their productivity and well-being.
Promote Neurodiversity Awareness: Educate all employees about neurodiversity to foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment where employees actually feel comfortable discussing their needs and challenges without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Em also shares practical advice for those looking to kickstart a career in tech. “Get involved in communities. The best thing you can do is attend local events. The world is still full of gatekeeping and there are so many great opportunities that are accessible to people. If you can get into the mix there and find out about new opportunities, I do think that’s the way to do it. Because Tech is still an emerging sector, there’s so many people who can come in sideways and learn the skills later.”
For more insights from Em Ledger and other tech leaders, watch the full #TechIsForEveryone episode here.
Corecom Technology Academy is committed to building a more inclusive future in tech.
We help businesses strengthen their talent pipelines by recruiting, training, and embedding our Associate Consultants directly into their teams – developing the next generation of diverse tech leaders.
Our programmes are designed to provide real-world experience, personalised 1-2-1 support sessions, technical skills, and inclusive training environments that help individuals thrive, regardless of background. For more information, get in touch with our friendly Academy team today.