Thoughts on inclusive communication
I dislike conversations that are moving so fast that it feels like you're stepping into oncoming traffic to join in and say something, praying that they'll stop in time.
I always feel like I'm being weird in those spaces. I may have something I want to share or ask, or even just be included, but it continues nonetheless.
Sometimes I wonder if I notice and it bugs me more because of my love of inclusion and creating a culture of belonging. Sometimes I wonder if I notice it because of my own neurodiversity, that my ways of expressing myself aren't always seen as normal. And sometimes, I think because I've had lots of experience in listening for subtext and studying rhetoric, knowing that most of our communication is non-verbal.
I'm not sure this is an intentional action that the ones in charge are making, they are probably doing this without thinking. Yet, we must always think of impact over intent.
Either way, it's something that doesn't have to be, it can be improved by intentional action and accountability. We must shift the very way we navigate or hold space for others.
Imagine all of the traffic lights were made for the fastest to cross the street or our customer support involves staying on the phone for hours on hold (both of these still happen). These choices in the ways we deliver a service include certain folks and exclude others.
Inclusive discussions allow for pauses for people to collect their thoughts, signposts or summaries to highlight important points, and space for everyone to contribute in a meaningful way (in a modality that supports them).
Let's think about a culture of care, where there is space for all voices, not just a select few.
We'll be talk about this and a whole host of other pieces around building inclusive, ethical businesses in Sowing Post Capitalist Seeds for Business starting Thursday. We still have a few spaces open and we'd love to have you.
I'm still are taking applications here.
And reach out if you have questions or want to chat in real time to make sure it's a good fit.
In solidarity,
Anuradha