Do you craft a document, email, or presentation in your organization? Perhaps you build a message for your client? Regardless of the audience, the selection of your words will support you in achieving the goal of your message or undermine getting buy-in for your work. Looking at the global workforce today, there is no doubt: inclusive language is a must.

Learn these 6 simple steps to create the environment for open, honest, and constructive conversations:

1. Don't assume you know your audience - Is your message based on assumptions about the identity and beliefs of the audience or could it harm anyone or any group? If the answer is yes, revise your words and mindset. 
2. Embrace differences - Make sure you represent and reflect the diversity in your audience.
3. Highlight narratives, not singular traits - Only mention race, gender, or other group identity if it’s closely related to the topic, without over-emphasizing it. 
4. Check for stereotypes - Check if you box anyone based on stereotypical descriptors or if there is a chance to harm perceptions of any groups unintentionally.
5. Use person-first and gender-neutral language
6. Master it by learning from your mistakes - Address your mistakes by removing or replacing the non-inclusive language from your communication.

If you didn’t check these points in your messaging, I hope this list helps you keep it in mind and achieve your goals!