Add your pronouns
Why this is important: Not everyone physically reflects the pronouns they represent. More importantly, it’s a way to show respect. Adding your pronouns to your email signature, your social media profiles, and your video conferencing tools takes the guesswork out and opens the space for others to add their pronouns.
Add your pronunciation
Why this is important: Saying someone’s name correctly feels fantastic on both ends of the conversation. Like pronouns, adding your pronunciation removes the guesswork and makes people feel informed when saying your name.
Participate in ERGs
Why this is important: ERGs (or employee resource groups) are groups within an organization that share common characteristics. Their main goal is to create more inclusion within the workplace. Joining an ERG shows your willingness to participate in these conversations within your organization and builds trust on a larger scale. Encourage leadership to be a part of these groups as well. That’s how more significant change happens!
Be diligent in learning outside your perspective
Why this is important: Like anything important in life, you likely won’t learn everything overnight. We are at the mercy of our perspectives and life experiences. Being diligent in your learning means checking out resources and guides, learning from people with lived experiences, and most importantly, when you’re able, paying the instructors, creators, and teachers for their work. This learning is a continual practice. Be sure to pace yourself and keep going!
Amplify the voices of others
Why this is important: Underrepresented groups are often left out of conversations or edged out. Instead of being the loudest person in the room, giving space and platforms to people typically passed over is essential. Sharing the stage doesn’t mean we don’t get it; it means we all get to learn from each other and grow better and faster. Not one person can speak to every experience, nor should we speak for others. When an event arises, we must check in with ourselves and consider whether our voice suits what we’re trying to say.
These actions are typically free or low-cost, and easy to incorporate your values into your work with little effort.
Resources & Next Steps
If you’re interested in learning more with other like-minded individuals, join the IE community to keep the conversation going: https://community.insureequality.org/share/nZ8hMMqIzyRVaf8q?utm_source=manual
If you’d like to level up even more, check out a few of these articles and head to our resources page for more ways to learn and grow:
Resources: https://insureequality.org/individual-resources/
Pronouns: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/us/preferred-gender-pronouns-explainer-trnd/index.html
ERGs: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/what-are-employee-resource-groups-ergs
Learning: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/building-the-link-between-learning-and-inclusion/
Amplify: https://hbr.org/2021/06/research-amplifying-your-colleagues-voices-benefits-everyone