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Assumption Is the Enemy of Inclusion
To be truly inclusive, we must not assume
I was recently in a session learning about the LGBTQ+ community and the struggles they face in daily communication. A simple elevator conversation that begins with a benign question like “How was your weekend?” can be emotionally draining for some.
How a conversation like that could be draining for anyone seems incomprehensible but once you get to the root of the problem, you’ll see how. First, let us look at some common scenarios in our daily lives — personal or professional, and how we unconsciously communicate with inherent biases and assumptions.
Asking a friend or colleague about their dating life
Have you ever found yourself asking a guy friend if he had a girlfriend yet? Most of the time there is no intention to hurt someone’s sentiment. I’ve also found myself following up such a question with an apologetic, non-appropriate sounding “or boyfriend?”
Similarly, imagine a situation where you had a female colleague who works closely with you but you don’t have any idea about their personal life. However, you are aware they’re married and so at a team dinner where spouses are invited, you end up asking them, “So, where’s your husband?”
