iAtoday

By Josée Plante
Practice Leader, Communications and Copywriting
Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions
iA Financial Group

Josée Plante's bio

Do you think your clients have ever considered the impact their words can have on employee engagement and on how their organization is perceived by its own clients, partners or suppliers?  Words have power: They can motivate teams and inspire confidence… or not.

What if an organization’s communications played as crucial a role in employee retention as they do in building brand credibility?

In today’s ever-changing world of work, I believe that inclusive communication is far more than just a stylistic choice: it’s a powerful tool for engagement, equity, inclusion and organizational coherence.

As an experienced writer, I myself once questioned the effectiveness of inclusive writing. Would it make my texts cumbersome? Would I lose clarity and simplicity? The answer is no. I have found that it is possible, even easy, to develop new habits, and that inclusive writing can quickly become second nature. Most importantly, I have realized how much it can positively transform communications, both internal and external.

Why focus on inclusive communication? 

Because language shapes how we see the world. It can include or exclude, empower or render invisible. 

Psycholinguistic studies show that the use of generic masculine forms unconsciously influences the representation of roles and identities, particularly by reinforcing certain gender stereotypes. I therefore believe that organizations that continue to use them by default may be missing out on attracting certain talent, partners or clients who identify less – or not at all – with their messaging.

I would even go so far as to say that adopting inclusive communication is a form of leadership. It shows that a person or an organization values diversity, wants to create an environment where everyone can be themselves, and is willing to change their practices to better reflect today’s society. 

In my full article on the subject, I provide in-depth analysis, concrete examples, practical advice and actionable steps for adopting inclusive language without complexity or rigidity. I like to emphasize that it’s not about changing everything overnight, but about making conscious, gradual and consistent choices.