How to build inclusive communication in an organization

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Building a Culture of Inclusive Communication: Steps Towards Greater Equity

Hello, Everyone! I'm Dominica and I've been working since 2012 in fostering effective communication based on trust and shared responsibility. Today, we dive into the topic of inclusive communication in organizations.

The Power of Language in Inclusive Communication

Language holds the power to shape our thinking and our interactions. In playing our part in creating inclusive spaces at work, at home, and in the community, we must recognize the impact of our words.

Recognizing Unconscious Biases

Our journey towards inclusivity starts with recognizing our unconscious biases, and understanding how they influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Thus, we should collectively strive to move past the antiquated notion of gender binary and embrace a wide spectrum of genders and identities.

Engaging in Self-Reflection

Increasing cultural competence requires taking an inventory of our biases and increasing our self-awareness. Questions to ask ourselves include: What does our family's cultural history reveal? How has our cultural background impacted our content with other identities? Reflecting on these questions can help shed light on our verbal and non-verbal communication impacts.

Lifelong Learning

Inclusive communication, like inclusion itself, is a journey. It calls for consistently challenging and expanding our worldviews, continually educating ourselves, and remaining open to feedback.

Examples of Inclusive Communication

Some examples of more inclusive communication include:

  • "Parental leave" instead of "Maternity leave"
  • "Humans" instead of "Mankind"
  • "Office staff" instead of "Ladies or office girls"

Importance of Empathy, Culture, and Empowerment

Essential components of inclusive communication include empathy, understanding of culture, and empowerment:

  1. Empathy: We should aim to connect empathetically with our audience and consider their experiences in our communication.
  2. Culture: Empowering community groups to voice their experiences also enriches our understanding of diverse identities and experiences.
  3. Empowerment: Leaders set the bar for inclusivity in the organization. Providing resources, relief guides, and promoting learning opportunities can empower all team members.

Inclusive Language in Job Ads

When crafting job descriptions, it's crucial to avoid gender-coded words and biases, both explicit and implicit. Similarly, certain phrases that may suggest a bias against older adults should be avoided. We should also outline which qualifications are required and which are simply preferred.

Remember, Inclusion isn't a checklist of experiences; it's a bridge we build to connect communities.

Questions and Answers

In the Q&A session following the presentation, some key points were discussed. These include how one should approach creating awareness in a company, the importance of training, and the role of leadership in fostering inclusivity.

Conclusion

Thank you very much for your interest in inclusive communication. The path towards greater inclusivity is a shared responsibility. Let's continue to grow together in this journey, and make our workplaces even more welcoming to all!


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