The number 1 thing I get asked in 1:1 sessions with clients is…
“๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐บ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ?”
And while deep down I know what they are actually asking for is a checklist of things they can add, the reality is inclusive language is not that simple.
Language is fluid and constantly changing.
It requires you to stay in the work, and adapt because whatโs acceptable today might not be tomorrow.
I know in my own household I constantly cringe when I use words that I grew up using but now are not inclusive and need to change. But, like many of the phrases and words we use, itโs so deeply ingrained and it takes time for change to take effect.
As a Black woman with a marginalised identity AND a DEI coach nonetheless, I could beat myself up for making these mistakes, but I know thatโs not conducive to genuine, meaningful learning and sustainable change.
Instead, I believe in giving yourself the grace and space to learnโฆ
๐๐พโโ๏ธ To come to this work messy, open, and willing to adapt
๐๐พโโ๏ธ To learn through the process, and continuously self-correct until you build the habit
๐๐พโโ๏ธ To unsubscribe from the right/wrong dichotomy of the patriarchy and instead commit to doing better.
You donโt need to be perfect to do this work โ you simply need to choose to do better.
And to do that, you need to start!
I’ve created a new FREE PDF Guide: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผโ๐ & ๐๐ผ๐ปโ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ข๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐. Inside youโll find a table filled with words commonly used in our coaching and personal development industry which are considered harmful and inappropriate, as well as some suggested alternatives.
The guide also contains:
โก 4 ways to add inclusive language into your business
โก 2 no-noโs when it comes to your imagery
โก A list of words to avoid AND what you could say instead
โก What to do if/when you make a mistake.
Download this FREE PDF Guide here.
With Love,
Annie
