Did you know that inclusive language can be exclusive? Frustrating. But it can be true.

I’m in diversity, equity and inclusion communications work every single day of my life and like any group, we come up with our own lingo. The positive benefit is it creates a sense of belonging and it creates an in group. Where there is an in group, we’ve unintentionally created an out group.

I can use the word performative and even diversity, equity and inclusion and know what I mean by it and others in the work will know too. But is it possible that someone who doesn’t live and breath this work will not have the same understanding? I could be leaving someone out, someone behind.

It’s the goal of inclusive language to be inclusive. When people are talking about how they are talked over in meetings, I translate that in my head as lack of inclusion. If I run around and just use the word inclusion, that person may not make the connection of their experience to lack of inclusion.

So, conscious communicators, let’s be inclusive with inclusive communications. 🙂 To learn more about the connection of inclusive language and belonging, have a listen to the podcast I did with Siemens. Also, Janet’s video this week will help folks in (hopefully) seeing themselves in the term DEI. Enjoy.

kim

Sometimes we’re met with criticism that diversity, equity and inclusion is just a fad, a trend, and will fade away. Janet Stovall shares that if that’s true, then we’re all in trouble.

• Getting Started with DEI Begins With Awareness – Listening and Learning.
• Equitable Health Care Requires Inclusive Language.
• You have to build DEI into your communications planning and budget NOW so you can deliver on making a difference for your company in 2023 and beyond.

Inclusive Language for Belonging

I recently recorded a podcast with one of my clients, Siemens, on inclusive language. Thank you to Natalia Oropeza, Janine Lechermann and Gael Adams-Burton for the phenomenal teamwork and leadership in embedding DEI communications across their global company.

“We are in an age that we need to be more intentional with our language. Language is the medium through which attitudes and behavior are influenced and our behavior needs to reflect a workplace of #belonging”. This is a quote from #diversity , #equity , inclusion educator and inclusive language expert, Kim Clark – my special guest in this new #podcast episode.

Kim worked with us at Siemens recently to help produce a very comprehensive #inclusivelanguage guide, which is helping us all to be more conscious of the words we use. If you have twenty minutes to spare and you’re wondering what inclusive language is, why it’s so important and what to do when you get it wrong (as we all do!), then please listen to our latest podcast episode here: https://bit.ly/3cTKPrd.”

REGISTER: Free Webinar on August 24th 2:30-3:30 pm PST

Click here to register.

Youth Collaboratory is embarking on critical DEI work to help deliver on their promise of Innovation to Improve Outcomes. We’re excited to be a part of your work and the impact you have on youth and beyond.

As you know, we are teaming up to co-author a book called The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t. It’s now available for pre-order.

It’s a guide for organizational communicators to help their communications have more DEPTH to avoid being performative and generating employee and social media backlash. DEPTH is a 5-step model to ensure messaging and content are meaningfully and intentionally created through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens. 

LAST CHANCE!!!! The final Zoom webinar with me and Janet for those who pre-order the book will be on Thurs Aug 25th 1pm-1.30pm Pacific.

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