The Power of Names: Fostering Inclusivity at Work
I’ve been called many names at work…
Jennifer, Jenny, Jen and even JP. While I prefer “Jennifer”, I’m comfortable with the variations.
However, as I become acquainted with other professionals of colour, I’ve come to realize my ‘name privilege’. Not everyone feels psychologically safe or comfortable using their actual name at work.
I vividly recall a colleague who has a diverse name recounting a painful experience at work. Team members, perhaps feeling embarrassed or unwilling to learn how to pronounce an unfamiliar name, resorted to referring to them as "that person".
Can you imagine the sting of feeling marginalized by your colleagues, simply because of your name?
Some of my coaching clients have shared similar struggles. Usually, it’s centered on whether to continue accepting incorrect pronunciations of their names or to create a version that’s easier for colleagues to say.
Here's the thing though – our names aren't just labels. Names are deeply personal. They shape our identity, powerfully linking us to our culture, family and heritage.
When names are mispronounced or treated with disregard, it sends a subtle message to individuals of their value in the organization.
Indeed, failure to respect a person’s name, whether intentional or not, is a form of microaggression. This can have a compounding effect on professionals of colour, further impacting their sense of belonging and ability to be their authentic selves at work.
Creating an inclusive work environment starts with something as simple as getting to know the people around you – beginning with learning their names. 🌟
As American actress Uzo Aduba so aptly shared in a quote she attributes to her mother: "If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky and Michelangelo and Dostoyevsky, they can learn to say Uzoamaka."
So, what can you do to foster workplace inclusivity and respect for colleagues who have diverse names?
Here are 10 practical suggestions that you can start using today:
Avoid making assumptions about a colleague’s English language ability or competence based on their name. ✅
Refrain from suggesting nicknames or surrogate names they can use. ✅
Be gracious and apologize as soon as you realize you’ve mispronounced their name. ✅
Ask how to pronounce names phonetically - and listen carefully. ✅
Dedicate time to practice until you get it right. ✅
Take care to also spell it correctly. ✅
Encourage your team to add their phonetic name spelling to email signatures, name cards and on Teams/Zoom (see “how to” below)* ✅
If you hear someone mispronouncing a colleague's name who is not around, correct them gently. ✅
Incorporate a meeting icebreaker where colleagues have the option of sharing the meaning or origin of their names and how to pronounce them. ✅
And most importantly, encourage colleagues to adopt similar inclusive practices. ✅
Remember every action you take in support of workplace inclusion matters. By making a conscious effort to normalize properly addressing people by their chosen names at work, you’re helping to cultivate a more welcoming and respectful environment for everyone.
Let's commit to honoring each other's identities, one name at a time. 💫
If you would like to learn about other practical approaches for supporting workplace inclusivity, check out my Diversity & Inclusion resources.
You can also schedule a free consultation to learn more about my coaching services.
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* Suggestions on how to write your phonetic name:
Break your name into syllables and separate by dashes.
Capitalize syllables that are emphasized when pronouncing your name.
Include all letter sounds that might help a person say your name, even if those same sounds are not present in the actual spelling of your name.
Refer to online resources for additional support, including:
