A journey of a thousand miles…

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

You may have heard or read this saying before. If we have met, or if you’ve heard me speak at some point, chances are you’ve heard me say it, too. While many people like to pretend they’re the ones who came up with some iteration of this wise saying in the first place, it actually originates from the Tao Te Ching, a Chinese classic text, credited to Lao Tzu, a sage rumoured to have lived some 2,600 years ago.

The Tao Te Ching is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Daoism, but it’s also very much a founding principle of my approach to inclusive design and communication. Compassion, empathy and truly working at understanding others to better understand ourselves are principles that have always been inspiring to me, and are reflected in most things I do.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and so, a blog of a thousand articles begins with a single post. This, my friends, is that single post, in all of its humble glory. Together, let’s see if we can make it to a thousand articles. We have a long road ahead of us, but if there’s one thing I can promise, it’s that it’s going to be an instructive and disruptive one. One that will challenge what you think you know about public speaking.

In these pages, you’ll find tips, tricks, insights, and practical guidance that will help you walk down the path to becoming a more inclusive communicator. It is, in a sense, my way to spark up a discussion about exclusion in the speaking and communication business. A modest attempt to pay it forward, as a tribute to the people from whom I’ve learned so much over the years. The people who’ve allowed me to develop the skillset that I, in turn, wish to share with you through these pages now.

The path to true inclusion

The path to becoming truly inclusive is one that unveils the ramifications of diversity and inclusion in our audience demographics. Those who follow its path use techniques and strategies to make sure that they can truly connect with all their audience members. Now, what I mean by “truly connect” is something I will need to define for you over time.

But fear not brave souls, we will get to that in time! For the time being, let’s say that if expanding the reach of your message to an even larger audience is something that appeals to you, if not leaving anyone behind on the basis of exclusion is something that resonated deep inside your core, and if leaving money on the table is something that makes your skin crawl, then buckle up, because you and I are in for one hell of a ride!

For now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Allow me to kick things off by welcoming you to my humble little piece of digital landscape on the Internet. A place where you will find inspiring content to help you increase the reach of your message, by learning how you can adapt it so that it doesn’t exclude large segments of our population. People with disabilities, the elderly, those who are somehow marginalized by our fast-paced use of technology, or anyone else who for one reason or another, don’t quite fit the mold of the average user or the average audience member.

Over time, what we will explore are strategies for inclusive communication. From the stage, from the front of the room, or even online, through your website, through your online presentations, through your favorite platform or medium. Strategies that will empower your audience to “truly connect” with you, your message, your brand.

Sounds like a valuable use of your time? Then follow us on social media and we’ll see you in the next posts.