“In a world of volatility, being human is the glue that will bring us together.” – TLC Lions on how they’re working to humanise workplaces across the world

We prioritise our people. We not only support our colleagues in doing their jobs well and ensure everyone has the opportunities and tools to develop within our organisation. But we also challenge ourselves every single day to listen, learn and ensure everyone at E.ON UK feels supported through our inclusive culture.

We’re proud that this commitment to a workplace culture of excellence has led to E.ON UK being named Human Company of the Year for two years running at the TLC Lions Human Awards.

We spoke to TLC Lions to find out more about who they are and how they’re working with organisations like ours to continuously improve, benefitting not only the colleagues who work there, but also society as a whole.

Can you tell us about TLC Lions and what your organisation is trying to achieve?

TLC Lions was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to humanise the working world.

Our journey began when our founder, Gian Power OBE, experienced first-hand the transformative power of a truly human workplace. After a personal tragedy when his father was murdered, he saw how authentic human connections could create stronger, more inclusive environments where people feel seen, valued and supported.

Since then, TLC Lions has grown into a global provider in the workplace learning and development world, working with some of the world’s leading organisations to drive cultural change. Our global network of experts known as our Lions, proudly support 300+ of the world’s largest organisations with our unique human-first approach.

We deliver the world’s most powerful experiential learning and development programmes designed to prepare your people for the future of work. We take the time to understand a company’s needs, design a transformative solution and use our evidence-based methods including coaching, workshops, keynotes, digital learning and events to deliver a human-first solution. Impactful, engaging and above all, human.

Why is it so important that companies prioritise humanity, diversity and inclusion?

​​Having a more human workplace - and this also means having a diverse and inclusive workplace - is a competitive advantage. In today’s fast-changing world, businesses that prioritise these factors don’t just create better workplaces - they create stronger, more successful organisations. A company’s greatest asset is its people, and when individuals feel valued, respected and empowered, they bring their best selves to work.

Prioritising humanity in the workplace creates trust, psychological safety and a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenging perspectives and collaborating effectively. Research has shown time and time again that having more engaged people, who are valued and respected in their roles, has a multiplicative effect on individual and business performance. In short, ignoring the benefits true belonging can bring means foregoing a stronger bottom line.

At TLC Lions, we’ve seen first-hand how embracing these values leads to higher engagement, innovation, and long-term business success. Companies that invest in people create workplaces where individuals don’t just work but truly belong - ultimately driving performance, retention and a positive impact that extends beyond the office walls.

What do you think are the main challenges facing organisations in this space, and how can they start to overcome these?

The world is changing rapidly and with the ongoing geopolitical challenges, particularly in the USA, many companies have become hesitant. But let’s be clear - a more human working world is the only working world.

Whilst challenges around wording might be a challenge in certain geographies, a company should continue to focus on upholding their human values, integrity and doing the right thing. Actions speak louder than words and their actions need to be clear.

What we’re hearing from business leaders is an increase in stakeholder tensions - how can leaders and businesses at large balance the genuine concerns and needs of their diverse customer and employee bases against the shifting political landscape which has often contradictory demands?

For us at TLC Lions, it’s about doubling down on the fundamentals - what do we know? We know that diversity of thought and background are a boon to innovation. We know that belonging enhances engagement and performance. We know that people are at their best when they feel respected, listened to and recognised.

What we’re hearing on the ground from employees is that they want reassurances that these fundamentals are not going to be ignored. Responding to these challenges means holding firm on core values and reinforcing not only messaging around them, but embedding them into reward, recognition and strategy. In a world of volatility, being human is the glue that will bring us together.

Are there any key highlights you’re particularly proud of?

Absolutely! At TLC Lions, we’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made in humanising workplaces around the world. Some key highlights include:

• The TLC Lions Human Awards – We launched these awards to celebrate organisations and leaders driving real cultural change. Now across Europe and the Americas we recognise those making workplaces more inclusive, empathetic and human.
• Influencing senior leadership – We’ve worked with C-suite executives and leadership teams across global brands, helping them to unlock their potential and that of their teams. Over 300 companies!
• Training learning in the sky - We’re proud to have our TLC Lions content onboard Emirates and Virgin Atlantic flights. It means our content is training people 24/7 in over 58 countries and 185 destinations. We’re so proud of this!
• Expanding our global reach – From London to New York and beyond, we’ve delivered workshops, keynote talks and learning programmes that have impacted thousands of employees worldwide, fostering inclusive cultures across industries.
• Shaping the future of work – Through our exclusive client breakfasts, we bring together thought leaders to explore how to shape the future of work and identify the future skills required in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Why has E.ON UK been chosen at Human Company of the Year – and what can other organisations learn from this?

E.ON UK’s recognition as Human Company of the Year highlights their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, backed by clear, consistent and concrete actions. Our judging panel were impressed by the solid evidence demonstrating the company’s comprehensive approach to creating an inclusive organisation and the year-on-year development and growth. From family-friendly policies to talent development and support networks, E.ON’s dedication sets a high standard for others to follow.

E.ON understands that diversity is not just a buzzword but an ongoing commitment to building a supportive environment for everyone. Their colleague-led inclusivity networks play a key role in fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued and able to thrive.

Other organisations can learn from E.ON’s approach by integrating inclusivity into their core values and practices. By creating a space where people can flourish, organisations not only build a more diverse workforce but also enhance innovation and employee loyalty.

Is there anything you think E.ON UK could be doing better in this space?

E.ON UK should continue to lead the way with their human first approach. Our strong advice to all companies is to continue ensuring their values are embedded into their culture. We often say to companies, do you live or laminate your values? Continue to embed your values into recruitment and hiring, performance and review and all stages of the employee lifecycle. In a volatile world, values are your greatest asset.

To find out more about how E.ON UK is embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, read our latest inclusion report.