How to Normalize Inclusive Language Without Making It Weird
You’re about to kick off a meeting with a new client. You want to make a good impression—professional, warm, credible.
So you say:
“Hi everyone! Welcome. Let’s go around and introduce ourselves—feel free to share your name and pronouns if you'd like.”
The room pauses. One person shares their pronouns. One person doesn’t. One looks mildly confused. You start to wonder if you overdid it.
This is where a lot of client-facing professionals stop trying. They worry they’ll say the wrong thing, come off as performative, or make things weird.
But inclusive language isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. And when you use the ARC Method®, you don’t just check a box. You create safety. You lead.
Here’s how.
Step 1: Ask – Build Awareness of the Situation
Start by reading the room—or better yet, preparing ahead.
“Do we know anything about how this client team introduces themselves?”
“Are there any preferences we should be mindful of—language, accessibility, tone?”
Asking isn’t about assuming someone’s identity. It’s about creating options and reducing friction.
You might also ask internally:
“What do I want people to feel when I speak? Who might feel excluded by default language?”
Inclusive language begins with intentional language. Asking these questions up front helps you speak with precision, not performance.
Step 2: Respect – Use Inclusive Language Calmly and Confidently
You don’t have to overexplain. Just do it. Let your words speak for themselves.
Say “everyone” instead of “you guys.” Say “partner” instead of assuming “husband” or “wife.” Use someone’s correct name and pronouns without fanfare.
And when you model something—like sharing your pronouns—just do it as part of your intro:
“I’m Bernadette Smith, she/her. I lead workshops for client-facing teams.”
No disclaimers. No awkward pauses. Just clarity.
And when someone doesn’t follow suit? Don’t correct. Don’t nudge. Respect means letting others opt in on their own terms.
Sometimes the most respectful move is to say nothing and keep the energy moving.
Step 3: Connect – Reinforce Why It Matters Without Preaching
If someone does ask, “Why do you do that?” or looks visibly confused, you don’t need to go into a DEI monologue.
Just connect it to your values:
“We work with a lot of diverse teams, and small things like language can help people feel seen.”
Or:
“We want everyone to show up fully, so we try to make that easy.”
You’re not defending your choice. You’re making the invisible visible—without a spotlight.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Client: “Why did you say ‘they’ when talking about the hiring manager?”
You: “We don’t always know someone’s gender, so I default to ‘they’ unless told otherwise.”
Client nods. You move on. No awkwardness. No TED Talk.
This is what real inclusion looks like in action—small, seamless, sincere.
Why This Matters
You’ve probably experienced moments in your career when you didn’t feel fully seen. You’ve also seen what happens when someone else is excluded—even unintentionally.
Using inclusive language isn’t about being trendy or politically correct. It’s about professionalism. It’s about earning trust. And it’s about reflecting the world we actually live and work in.
ARC helps you do that without turning it into a lecture. Just thoughtful leadership in motion.
Try This
Review the language in your go-to client decks, scripts, and emails. Where can you simplify or neutralize?
Practice introducing yourself with pronouns in a way that feels natural.
Talk to your team about inclusive defaults—so it becomes habit, not hesitation.
Inclusive language is like any skill: it gets easier the more you use it. And when it comes from a place of care, people feel that.
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you want to equip your client-facing team with the confidence to lead with clarity—and avoid cringe—join us for our signature workshop:
Just the Way You Are: The Power of Inclusive Language
Learn to use inclusive language that resonates with clients and avoids misunderstandings.
It’s practical. It’s approachable. And yes—it will make your team better at their jobs.
Want to bring this session to your team? Contact us to schedule a workshop.