Shownotes
In this episode Julie discusses the importance of using inclusive language in networking and public speaking. After receiving feedback that her presentation at a prestigious university failed to acknowledge non-binary individuals, Julie reflects on the need for inclusivity.
Julie explores the lack of data on how non-binary people network differently and shares resources for LGBTQIA+ and non-binary professionals looking to network in their fields, highlighting platforms like "I Like Networking" by Isabel Sachs.
Additionally, Julie offers practical tips on how individuals can make networking events more inclusive by using preferred pronouns and gender-neutral language.
Drink of the week….Rhode Island Spirits
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Julie Brown:
LGBTQIA+ Networking Platforms and Resources
Transcripts
At the end of every speaking
engagement, I asked the audience
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:to fill out a survey via a QR code.
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:I do this because yes, I want to
gather all the wonderful comments
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:and testimonials from the crowd.
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:But also because I'm curious about what,
if anything, people do not like about
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:me, my presentation or my delivery style.
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:When I do receive criticism, it usually
revolves around my use of colorful
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:language or that I talk too fast.
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:But recently after a presentation
at a prestigious university, our
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:received some feedback that made
me quite frankly, feel like shit.
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:Welcome to episode 1
97 of this shit works.
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:The podcast dedicated to all
things, networking, relationship
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:building and business development.
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:I'm your host, Julie Brown.
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:Speaker author and networking coach.
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:And today I am talking about the
importance of inclusive language
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:while speaking and networking.
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:Yeah.
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:The positive comments I receive are great.
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:But sometimes it's the negative
or more constructive ones
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:that help us grow and improve.
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:The exact feedback I received that
made me feel like shit was quote.
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:Heads up.
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:And non-binary student felt
unseen because of the men versus
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:women comments in your speech.
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:Unquote.
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:When discussing networking disparities,
I often delineate between how men and
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:women network differently particularly
because I frequently keynote and
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:headline women specific conferences.
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:However, this tendency can
inadvertently overlook individuals
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:who identify as nonbinary.
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:For any listeners who may not
fully understand what that
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:means in really simple terms, a
non-binary person is someone who
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:does not identify as exclusively.
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:A man.
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:Or a woman.
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:Someone who is non-binary might
feel like a mix of genders or
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:like they have no gender at all.
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:The lack of extensive studies on how
nonbinary individuals network differently
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:from binary persons, further exasperates.
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:My oversight.
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:I just don't have the data.
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:To speak to it effectively in my keynote.
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:But that doesn't mean that during my
keynote, I should fail to recognize the
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:potential for non-binary audience members.
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:And while I am speaking, I should
100% use inclusive language
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:to make sure they feel seen.
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:It is a mistake.
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:I will not make again.
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:This is the power of asking for
genuine feedback, asking for people
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:to help make you better at your craft.
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:Now.
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:When it comes to networking, recognizing,
and addressing this gap, the gap
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:being that most people still live in a
binary world and see gender as binary.
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:Recognizing that gap is crucial
for fostering inclusive networking
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:environments by acknowledging the
diverse ways in which individuals,
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:regardless of gender engage in networking,
we can create spaces that cater to
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:everyone's needs and preferences.
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:Ultimately fostering more equitable
and inclusive professional communities.
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:After I received the feedback, I
scoured the internet for studies
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:for data that I could fold into
my network using statistics.
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:And I could not find any concrete
information on non-binary networking.
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:The way I could find, stats and studies
for the differences between men and women.
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:But I did find a number of
resources for people who are
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:non-binary or in the LGBTQ IAA.
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:,plus world and want to network.
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:One particular resource is called.
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:I like networking, which is a UK based
company launched by Isabel Sachs, which
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:is a platform that looks to support women.
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:And non-binary professionals who
are either trying to enter the
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:creative industries or are already
working in the field, but need help.
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:There is also an I like networking
podcast, which has not been updated
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:in a while, but still offers 37
episodes for you to dive into.
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:Other LGBTQ.
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:A professional networks include in there.
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:I will list these on the show notes.
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:So you don't have to take notes.
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:Out professionals, which helps
LGBTQ professionals make meaningful
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:connections face to face.
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:Lesbians who tech and allies is
the largest LGBTQ plus technology
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:community globally committed to
visibility, intersectionality, and
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:changing the face of technology.
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:It's comprised of 100,000 LGBTQ plus
women, people of color non-binary and
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:trans leaders and allies and the tech.
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:Industry in more than a
hundred cities worldwide.
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:Start out is a US-based nonprofit
focused on supporting LGBTQ plus.
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:Entrepreneurs and startup founders.
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:Their mission is to increase
the number diversity and impact
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:of LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs and
amplify their voices to drive the
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:communities, economic empowerment.
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:Out to innovate formerly known as the
national organization of gay and lesbian
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:scientists and technical professionals
is a professional network that aims to
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:advance LGBTQ plus professionals in stem.
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:The organization offers education,
networking, and career development
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:to the LGBTQ plus community.
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:Mike G work is also another global
networking platform and job site
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:for LGBTQ plus professionals.
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:The site operates as a professional
networking platform, allowing members to
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:upload their profile and their CV search
for new job opportunities or simply
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:share experiences and ask for advice.
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:From other members of the site.
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:One of the best professional
networks for LGBTQ plus entrepreneurs
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:is called pride network.
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:It is the largest LGBTQ professional
network globally for entrepreneurs,
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:business owners and professionals.
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:You can sign up as a free member.
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:Pride network is a social network
exclusively for LGBTQ plus
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:professionals and entrepreneurs.
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:The network owner aims to build a
diverse professional community of
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:individuals looking to network,
make contacts in the gay community,
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:get advice or help and find.
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:Find business opportunities.
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:Since most of the networking
events we attend are not geared
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:towards the LGBTQ plus community.
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:I've done some research into how
we might approach the events we
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:attend in a more inclusive manner.
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:According to Mason aid who writes about
inclusion for Como magazine, one of the
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:best and simplest inclusive practices
anyone can follow is to introduce
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:themselves with their preferred pronouns.
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:Simply say, hi, my name is Julie
Brown and I use she her pronouns.
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:This goes a long way in making people
feel comfortable around you because
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:it opens up the door for the other
person to state their pronouns.
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:Another tip Mason offers is to
use gender neutral language.
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:When inquiring about a
person's personal life.
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:Instead of asking about a husband
or a wife, for example, ask
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:about a spouse or a partner.
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:This gives room for someone to
talk about their significant other,
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:without assumption of gender.
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:I've included a link to the full
article that Mason wrote on inclusive
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:networking in the show notes.
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:Or, you know, what's super cool about
this experience, even though I'm
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:an expert in my field, I feel like.
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:I have continually subscribed
to a lifelong learning program
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:with no expiration date.
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:By staying curious and open-minded
and accepting feedback.
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:I keep adding new chapters to my book of
expertise, making me feel like the more I
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:learn, the more I can help other people.
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:So the next time, I think
I've got it all figured out.
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:I'll remember, there's always
room to learn and grow.
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:No matter how much of an expert I become.
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:Okay friends.
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:Onto the drink of the week, which
I'm not actually going to do a drink.
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:I'm going to highlight a
distillery in Rhode Island where
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:I spend most of my summers.
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:In Rhode Island, not at the distillery.
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:If you were confused.
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:The distillery is Rhode Island spirits.
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:It's new.
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:England's only LGBT.
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:Owned spirits brand in his home
to the rhodium brand of premium
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:gins, vodkas and lockers.
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:That company is owned by a married
couple, Kathy Plourde and Kira Larson,
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:who are founders, owners and distillers.
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:Their aim was to create an ensured that
the distillery and tasting room is a
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:welcoming and accepting space for all.
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:All spirits crafted at the distillery
are gluten-free organic and kosher
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:created with the belief that everybody
should be able to enjoy premium
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:spirits that work with their needs.
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:Amongst their productions are
rhodium vodka, rhodium gin.
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:Foragers gin.
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:rhodium lemon, cello, rhodium,
grapefruit cello, coffee, and black
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:Walnut vodka and Rhode Island red FATCA.
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:The duo supports LGBTQ.
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:A non-profits and political candidates
and make sure that they work
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:with other like-minded businesses
whenever the opportunity arises.
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:So go check them out.
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:All right friends.
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:That's all for this week.
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:If you like what you heard
today, please leave a review
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:and subscribe to the podcast.
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:Also, please remember to share the podcast
to help it reach a larger audience.
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:If you want more, Julie
Brown, you found my book.
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:This shit works on Amazon
or Barnes and noble.
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:You can find me on
LinkedIn at Julie Brown BD.
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:Just let me know where you
found me when you reach out.
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:I'm Julie Brown underscore BD
on the Instagram, or you can
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:just pop on over to my website.
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:Julie Brown bd.com until next week.
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:Cheers.
