17. Q&A: Anxious about being politically correct? Worried your language could offend others unintentionally?

2021-11-10

Do you wonder what is“politically correct” or “right” language to refer to people or groups of people? Do you often worry you’ll use offensive words unintentionally? That’s exactly the question sent in by “M” which I am answering today. “Alejandra,” writes M., “I'm feeling anxious about what to say to people when I meet people for the first time. With all that I have been learning about systemic racism and unconscious biases, I don't know what's okay to say anymore? How do I make sure my language is not offensive?” Th...

“Alejandra,” writes M., “I'm feeling anxious about what to say to people when I meet people for the first time. With all that I have been learning about systemic racism and unconscious biases, I don't know what's okay to say anymore? How do I make sure my language is not offensive?”

Thank you for asking this! I have many clients who express the same concern.

Digging deeper than just the words, I’ll share how you can bring mindfulness in each conversation that you have.

The language we use communicates our biases, which is why it’s essential to explore what we may be really communicating so that our interactions can bring us together and not further apart.

Takeaways from this episode:

I invite you to be mindful about the language you use when meeting someone for the first time.
There are 3 questions people commonly ask when getting to know someone, and it’s worth examining the biases they may communicate
I offer you questions and topic alternatives that can lead to connection

--- LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

7. The impact of using labels in your communication:

https://www.languagealchemy.com/podcasts/language-alchemy-podcast/episodes/2147576483

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Podcast Music composed by Gary Lapow: