The Importance of Inclusive Language while Speaking and Networking

Speaker: 00:00:01

At the end of every speaking

engagement, I asked the audience

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to fill out a survey via a QR code.

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I do this because yes, I want to

gather all the wonderful comments

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and testimonials from the crowd.

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But also because I'm curious about what,

if anything, people do not like about

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me, my presentation or my delivery style.

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When I do receive criticism, it usually

revolves around my use of colorful

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language or that I talk too fast.

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But recently after a presentation

at a prestigious university, our

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received some feedback that made

me quite frankly, feel like shit.

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Welcome to episode 1

97 of this shit works.

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The podcast dedicated to all

things, networking, relationship

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building and business development.

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I'm your host, Julie Brown.

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Speaker author and networking coach.

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And today I am talking about the

importance of inclusive language

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while speaking and networking.

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Yeah.

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The positive comments I receive are great.

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But sometimes it's the negative

or more constructive ones

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that help us grow and improve.

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The exact feedback I received that

made me feel like shit was quote.

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Heads up.

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And non-binary student felt

unseen because of the men versus

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women comments in your speech.

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Unquote.

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When discussing networking disparities,

I often delineate between how men and

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women network differently particularly

because I frequently keynote and

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headline women specific conferences.

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However, this tendency can

inadvertently overlook individuals

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who identify as nonbinary.

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For any listeners who may not

fully understand what that

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means in really simple terms, a

non-binary person is someone who

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does not identify as exclusively.

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A man.

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Or a woman.

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Someone who is non-binary might

feel like a mix of genders or

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like they have no gender at all.

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The lack of extensive studies on how

nonbinary individuals network differently

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from binary persons, further exasperates.

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My oversight.

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I just don't have the data.

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To speak to it effectively in my keynote.

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But that doesn't mean that during my

keynote, I should fail to recognize the

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potential for non-binary audience members.

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And while I am speaking, I should

100% use inclusive language

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to make sure they feel seen.

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It is a mistake.

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I will not make again.

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This is the power of asking for

genuine feedback, asking for people

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to help make you better at your craft.

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Now.

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When it comes to networking, recognizing,

and addressing this gap, the gap

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being that most people still live in a

binary world and see gender as binary.

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Recognizing that gap is crucial

for fostering inclusive networking

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environments by acknowledging the

diverse ways in which individuals,

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regardless of gender engage in networking,

we can create spaces that cater to

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everyone's needs and preferences.

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Ultimately fostering more equitable

and inclusive professional communities.

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After I received the feedback, I

scoured the internet for studies

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for data that I could fold into

my network using statistics.

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And I could not find any concrete

information on non-binary networking.

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The way I could find, stats and studies

for the differences between men and women.

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But I did find a number of

resources for people who are

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non-binary or in the LGBTQ IAA.

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,plus world and want to network.

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One particular resource is called.

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I like networking, which is a UK based

company launched by Isabel Sachs, which

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is a platform that looks to support women.

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And non-binary professionals who

are either trying to enter the

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creative industries or are already

working in the field, but need help.

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There is also an I like networking

podcast, which has not been updated

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in a while, but still offers 37

episodes for you to dive into.

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Other LGBTQ.

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A professional networks include in there.

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I will list these on the show notes.

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So you don't have to take notes.

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Out professionals, which helps

LGBTQ professionals make meaningful

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connections face to face.

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Lesbians who tech and allies is

the largest LGBTQ plus technology

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community globally committed to

visibility, intersectionality, and

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changing the face of technology.

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It's comprised of 100,000 LGBTQ plus

women, people of color non-binary and

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trans leaders and allies and the tech.

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Industry in more than a

hundred cities worldwide.

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Start out is a US-based nonprofit

focused on supporting LGBTQ plus.

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Entrepreneurs and startup founders.

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Their mission is to increase

the number diversity and impact

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of LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs and

amplify their voices to drive the

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communities, economic empowerment.

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Out to innovate formerly known as the

national organization of gay and lesbian

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scientists and technical professionals

is a professional network that aims to

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advance LGBTQ plus professionals in stem.

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The organization offers education,

networking, and career development

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to the LGBTQ plus community.

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Mike G work is also another global

networking platform and job site

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for LGBTQ plus professionals.

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The site operates as a professional

networking platform, allowing members to

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upload their profile and their CV search

for new job opportunities or simply

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share experiences and ask for advice.

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From other members of the site.

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One of the best professional

networks for LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs

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is called pride network.

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It is the largest LGBTQ professional

network globally for entrepreneurs,

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business owners and professionals.

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You can sign up as a free member.

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Pride network is a social network

exclusively for LGBTQ plus

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professionals and entrepreneurs.

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The network owner aims to build a

diverse professional community of

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individuals looking to network,

make contacts in the gay community,

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get advice or help and find.

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Find business opportunities.

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Since most of the networking

events we attend are not geared

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towards the LGBTQ plus community.

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I've done some research into how

we might approach the events we

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attend in a more inclusive manner.

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According to Mason aid who writes about

inclusion for Como magazine, one of the

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best and simplest inclusive practices

anyone can follow is to introduce

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themselves with their preferred pronouns.

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Simply say, hi, my name is Julie

Brown and I use she her pronouns.

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This goes a long way in making people

feel comfortable around you because

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it opens up the door for the other

person to state their pronouns.

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Another tip Mason offers is to

use gender neutral language.

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When inquiring about a

person's personal life.

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Instead of asking about a husband

or a wife, for example, ask

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about a spouse or a partner.

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This gives room for someone to

talk about their significant other,

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without assumption of gender.

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I've included a link to the full

article that Mason wrote on inclusive

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networking in the show notes.

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Or, you know, what's super cool about

this experience, even though I'm

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an expert in my field, I feel like.

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I have continually subscribed

to a lifelong learning program

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with no expiration date.

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By staying curious and open-minded

and accepting feedback.

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I keep adding new chapters to my book of

expertise, making me feel like the more I

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learn, the more I can help other people.

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So the next time, I think

I've got it all figured out.

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I'll remember, there's always

room to learn and grow.

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No matter how much of an expert I become.

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Okay friends.

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Onto the drink of the week, which

I'm not actually going to do a drink.

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I'm going to highlight a

distillery in Rhode Island where

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I spend most of my summers.

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In Rhode Island, not at the distillery.

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If you were confused.

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The distillery is Rhode Island spirits.

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It's new.

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England's only LGBT.

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Owned spirits brand in his home

to the rhodium brand of premium

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gins, vodkas and lockers.

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That company is owned by a married

couple, Kathy Plourde and Kira Larson,

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who are founders, owners and distillers.

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Their aim was to create an ensured that

the distillery and tasting room is a

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welcoming and accepting space for all.

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All spirits crafted at the distillery

are gluten-free organic and kosher

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created with the belief that everybody

should be able to enjoy premium

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spirits that work with their needs.

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Amongst their productions are

rhodium vodka, rhodium gin.

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Foragers gin.

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rhodium lemon, cello, rhodium,

grapefruit cello, coffee, and black

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Walnut vodka and Rhode Island red FATCA.

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The duo supports LGBTQ.

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A non-profits and political candidates

and make sure that they work

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with other like-minded businesses

whenever the opportunity arises.

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So go check them out.

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All right friends.

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That's all for this week.

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If you like what you heard

today, please leave a review

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and subscribe to the podcast.

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Also, please remember to share the podcast

to help it reach a larger audience.

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If you want more, Julie

Brown, you found my book.

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This shit works on Amazon

or Barnes and noble.

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You can find me on

LinkedIn at Julie Brown BD.

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Just let me know where you

found me when you reach out.

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I'm Julie Brown underscore BD

on the Instagram, or you can

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just pop on over to my website.

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Julie Brown bd.com until next week.

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Cheers.