LEVEL 1 - DELTA

Awareness & Foundations

At the Delta stage, organisations are beginning their inclusion and sustainability journey with good intentions but limited integration. Efforts often focus on representation, awareness training, or surface-level policy adjustments, but these actions remain isolated from core strategy and daily behaviour.

From a neuroscience perspective, this stage is marked by low neurological coherence: inclusive behaviours are not yet embedded in habit loops, and the brain’s predictive systems still default to what feels familiar and safe. Leaders and employees may recognise the importance of diversity and environmental responsibility, but lack the tools to shift from intellectual understanding to behavioural change.

Delta provides the crucial foundation. It helps teams build the psychological safety required for learning, introduces the brain’s role in bias and belonging, and sparks new neural pathways through consistent, low-threat, emotionally resonant micro-practices.

While confidence may still be building, Delta unlocks clarity, and clarity unlocks momentum.

Maturity Model Benefits

Neuroscience - Blocks and Enablers

Neuroplasticity: Initial efforts to rewire behaviours and attitudes through targeted programmes (e.g., mentoring, unconscious bias training, understanding fight, flight, freeze or sawn responses to change).
Mirror Neurons: Programmes encourage empathy and perspective-taking, but leadership is not yet consistently modelling inclusive behaviours.
Pause and Pivot: Efforts begin to disrupt reactive thinking by pausing to reflect before decision-making, but this is not yet widespread.

Digital Resources

Interactive modules, quizzes, and virtual scenarios to reinforce learning.
Customisable templates
Practical Tools & Templates - Checklists, conversation starters, and templates for fostering inclusion in meetings, hiring processes, and performance reviews.
Scripts and guides for addressing exclusionary behaviour compassionately.
If/Then Playbook and Quick Brain Hacks.

Train the Trainers Programme (Enterprise Package only)

A certified programme to train in-house facilitators to deliver the framework across their organisations.

Training Modules Content

DELTA LEVEL – Awareness & Foundations

Theme: Understand the Brain. Recognise the Bias. Build Safety.

There are two versions for employees and leadership beginning their journey. Delta lays the neurological groundwork for inclusive awareness and introduces essential daily micro-practices.

Module 1: The Predictive Brain & Unconscious Bias

How the brain filters information using heuristics and prediction errors
Neural efficiency vs. inclusion: Why fast thinking excludes difference
Leadership lens: Bias amplification through power and decision inertia
Employee lens: Noticing bias cues in workflows, meetings, and interactions

Module 2: Safety First – The Neurobiology of Trust

Polyvagal Theory: Why we scan for safety before we can think
Amygdala hijack & cortisol spikes: What shuts down belonging
Leadership lens: How formal power triggers fear-brain in others
Employee lens: Building peer-to-peer psychological safety

Module 3: Mirror Neurons & Social Learning

The science of empathy: How behaviour is mirrored and mimicked
Emotional contagion and neural resonance in teams
Leadership lens: Modelling inclusion to shift social norms
Employee lens: Using curiosity over judgement in daily routines

Module 4: Neuroplasticity & Habit Loops

Charles Duhigg + brain science: Cue-Routine-Reward breakdown
How emotional safety supports rewiring
Leadership lens: Replacing top-down change with behavioural nudges
Employee lens: Embedding one micro-shift per week into the workflow.

Community of Practice -

The BARDO Hub

Access to a global network of licensees who share best practices, challenges, and solutions.
Ongoing webinars, workshops, and updates to keep the framework fresh and relevant.

Explore Level 2 Alpha