Understanding the need for inclusion as public speakers

We already know that in the speaking world, inclusion refers to actively working towards creating a more diverse and welcoming environment, where all individuals feel valued, heard, and respected. As you already know if you’ve been reading these posts for a while, this concept of inclusion applies and impacts both speakers and audience members from all walks of life. As we’re wrapping up 2022 and slowly getting ready to settle into the new year, I thought it might be interesting to revisit the importance of understanding the need for inclusion as a speaking professional.

Creating an inclusive environment involves considering the diversity of the speakers and audience, as well as the content being presented. It means making a conscious effort to include speakers from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and using language and examples that are inclusive, representative, and respectful of diverse groups. It also means encouraging participation and inclusivity among the audience, and providing accommodations for attendees with disabilities so they don’t feel left out of the conversation.

Inclusion is an important aspect of professional speaking because it helps to create a more engaging and meaningful experience for all attendees, and promotes diversity and representation within the speaking industry. By creating an inclusive environment, professional speakers can help to foster a more inclusive and respectful conversation that benefits everyone involved, and allows all of the audience to truly connect.

As speaking professionals, it is our responsibility to not only deliver valuable content to our audience, but also to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone in attendance. Inclusion means actively working to create a diverse and welcoming space where all individuals feel valued, heard, and respected. Unfortunately, the world of professional speaking can sometimes be exclusive, with certain voices and perspectives dominating the conversation. This can lead to a lack of diversity and representation among both speakers and audience members.

Simple steps to grow more awareness

So, how can we as professional speakers become more aware of the need for inclusion and work towards creating a more inclusive environment in our speaking engagements? Here are a few steps to consider:

Educating yourself on diversity, equity, and inclusion. To truly understand the importance of inclusion in professional speaking, it’s important to educate yourself on the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can involve reading books, articles, and other resources, attending workshops and seminars, or seeking out mentorship from those who have experience in these areas. By gaining a deeper understanding of these concepts, you’ll be better equipped to create an inclusive environment in your speaking engagements.

Reflecting on your own biases and privileges. As humans, we all have our own biases (conscious or unconscious) and privileges that can influence our thinking and behaviour. It’s important to be aware of these and work to actively combat them. Consider participating in a bias training or taking an online implicit bias test to help you better understand your own biases and how they may affect your interactions with others. By acknowledging and addressing your own biases, you can work towards creating a more inclusive environment in your speaking engagements.

Seeking out diverse speakers and perspectives. When planning your speaking engagements or recommending fellow speaking professionals, make an effort to include speakers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This can help to create a more inclusive atmosphere for your audience and allow for a more well-rounded and dynamic conversation. Consider reaching out to organizations that represent underrepresented groups, such as women in business, or experts from the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ communities to find speakers who can bring unique and valuable perspectives to your event.

Encouraging inclusivity in your audience. As the speaker, you have the power to set the tone for your event. Encourage inclusivity in your audience by creating a safe and welcoming environment where all attendees feel comfortable participating and sharing their thoughts and ideas. This can involve incorporating ground rules, such as not interrupting or speaking over others, and providing accommodations for attendees with disabilities. By fostering an inclusive atmosphere, you’ll be able to create a more engaging and meaningful experience for all attendees.

Making an effort to be inclusive in your content. In addition to creating an inclusive environment, it’s also important to consider the inclusivity and diversity of representation of your content. This means avoiding language and examples that exclude or stereotype certain groups of people and instead, using inclusive language and examples that are representative of diverse perspectives. By being mindful of the language, examples, and imagery you use in your presentations, you can help to create a more inclusive experience for your audience.

Continuously striving to improve. Inclusion is an ongoing process, and it’s important to continuously strive to be more inclusive in your speaking engagements. This may involve seeking feedback from attendees and adjusting your approach as needed, or regularly revisiting your own biases and privileges to ensure that you are actively working to create a more inclusive environment. By continuously working to improve, you can help to create a more welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all attendees.

The benefits are well worth it

Overall, it’s important to remember that creating an inclusive environment as speaking professionals takes effort and commitment, but the benefits are well worth it. By educating yourself on diversity, equity, and inclusion, reflecting on your own biases and privileges, seeking out diverse speakers and perspectives, encouraging inclusivity in your audience, being inclusive in your content, and continuously striving to improve, you can help to create a more diverse and representative conversation that will ultimately lead to a more informed and enriched experience where everyone can truly connect with you, your message, and your brand.

By following these steps, professional speakers can work towards creating a more inclusive environment in their speaking engagements that promotes diversity and representation within the world of professional speaking. Not only will you be creating a more welcoming and respectful atmosphere for your audience where more people will feel seen and acknowledged, but you’ll also be helping to foster a more diverse and representative conversation that will ultimately lead to a more informed and enriched experience for all involved.

If these ideas resonate with you and you’d like to explore them further, I have you covered! My upcoming book, “The Inclusive Speaker – How to truly connect with ALL OF your audience without leaving anyone behind”, will be available in a few short weeks (estimated release date, end of February). Why don’t you get on our mailing list to be kept in the loop and even pre-order your copy?