Inclusion Unlocked

1From Language Barriers to Guiding Principles

The absence of discrimination does not indicate the presence of inclusion. Leaders need to be advocates and active players.

Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion, Clifford Chance

The appropriate use of language is one of the greatest tools we have to bring people together, but it can also be weaponized and destructive. One moment, you are proud to be referred to as “woke,” the next moment, it has been misappropriated and is being used against you like a slur. Language can be tricky and complex, meaning changed by tone or intent.

Yet, when people take a step back, most of us realize this: there is language we use in our professional spheres that is not readily accessible to others. So too, there are individuals whose expertise allows them access to the nuanced language that supports and advances Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), while others must work to gain fluency. The lexicon of DEIB can seem daunting to its new speakers, in part, because of the perceived reputational cost of misusing or being unfamiliar with its words.

In reality, it is an amalgam of terms, concepts, and practices which you may have never encountered. It's easy to reject its language as unnecessary or criticize it for being too quick to change. Instead, we invite you to consider staying open to DEIB language and explore its ability to provide a shared language to unlock new understanding of people and their experiences. For example, ...