Written by: Dr. Liz Nunez, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Do you aspire to be a leader in both your professional and personal lives? The next step is to learn how to have inclusive conversations. An inclusive conversation can advance you, encouraging variety in decision-making and developing stronger bonds with people from all backgrounds and viewpoints.
A more inclusive, understanding, and productive society must be built, and inclusive conversation is not merely a trendy buzzword in this regard. A productive and understanding personal and professional life depends on inclusive communication. It makes sure that everyone's voice is heard and that we can comprehend and relate to people who have viewpoints and backgrounds that are different from our own. But how can we guarantee that everyone is included in our conversations?
Understanding Inclusive Communication
First of all, it's crucial to realize that having inclusive conversations goes beyond simply avoiding particular words or phrases to fostering a climate where everyone feels welcome, appreciated, and understood. It involves actively participating in a process of empathy and understanding and always seeking out methods to advance and ensure that everyone feels included.
In the workplace, inclusive conversations can result in more varied viewpoints, ideas, and solutions for problem-solving, fostering a more creative and effective work environment. However, inclusive talks should not only take place at work; they should also apply to our personal lives and the ways in which we interact with others outside of the office.
7 Steps to Better Conversations
According to a Deloitte survey of 245 global organizations and more than 70 client interviews, inclusive leaders are six times more likely than non-inclusive leaders to be successful in their leadership positions. In order to have more inclusive conversations in business and in our personal life, follow this straightforward 7-step process:
Have patience: Give others the space they need to think and reply
Use plain language: Steer clear of industry or regional jargon and complicated words.
Verify comprehension: Ask questions and promote participation to make sure everyone is following the conversation.
Recognize cultural, linguistic, and other differences: Recognize the many methods in which individuals communicate and be prepared to modify your own style.
Demonstrate Empathy: Express your concern and understanding for the other person's viewpoint.
Foster an inclusive environment: You can do this by constantly learning about various cultures and viewpoints, being receptive to criticism, and adopting a growth mindset. Strive to make an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, heard, and appreciated.
Make inclusivity a lifestyle change: Put inclusive conversation practices into action outside of the workplace by talking to people from various backgrounds and viewpoints, actively seeking out diverse environments, and extending these practices into your personal life.
Real-life examples of Inclusive Communication
Suppose you are a leader at work and you observe that a team member uses English as a second language and struggles with idioms and colloquialisms. You can make the dialogue easier for them to understand by speaking in plain, straightforward terms and asking if they understand along the way.
Additionally, you can make them feel more at ease and included in the conversation by being sensitive to linguistic and cultural differences, being adaptable, and displaying empathy.
As another example, suppose you are a friend of a neurodiverse leader and you see that they struggle with speedy information processing. You should give them the time they need to comprehend information and respond by being patient and speaking in clear, straight-to-the-point terms. As a really good friend, you can establish a secure and comfortable environment where they can freely express themselves by demonstrating empathy and being attentive of their body language.
The key points in both of these situations is to be tolerant, perceptive, and flexible. We can create a more welcoming environment where everyone can express themselves and be heard by demonstrating empathy and being prepared to change the way we communicate. This is all about you doing your part to create more opportunities for everyone to connect through conversation. With this, keep in mind that inclusive communication can also involve the use of technology, such as text-to-speech or voice recognition software, or the provision of sign language interpreters or captioning where appropriate.
The Journey towards Inclusive Conversations
It takes active participation, openness, and a desire to learn and develop in order to have inclusive conversations since they are a journey rather than a destination. This entails actively fostering an inclusive society and persistently seeking out other viewpoints and voices. It also entails being prepared to modify our communication style to better suit the demands of others. We can foster a more welcoming world where everyone can express themselves and be heard by exercising patience and understanding.
Tim Cook brilliantly said, "Inclusion and diversity are not just good for business, they're essential for building a healthy and thriving society." Start your journey towards inclusive communication today by implementing these 7 steps in your personal and professional life. Take the time to learn about different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, and be willing to modify your communication style to accommodate others. Let's build a more welcoming and understanding world, together.
Dr. Liz Nunez, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Liz Nunez is an expert sociologist, communication specialist, and educator who helps people improve their conversational abilities. She offers individualized solutions for those having conversational difficulties, whether as a result of typical communication problems, neurodivergence, social anxiety, speech differences, or speaking English as a second language. Dr. Liz uses years of scientific research and her own experience of relearning communication after a brain injury to help clients have confident workplace and personal conversations. She is the founder of the International Society of English Language Learners and the International Society of Inclusive Communication with over 2 million members.
