Doing Better Often Starts with Our Words
Have you noticed how jarring & violent some workplace language is?
Becoming a more conscious, trauma-informed leader requires acknowledging the role that our language has in perpetuating harm and activating an often unintentional response in folks who have experienced trauma. Often the trauma didn’t even occur in the workplace but how we speak at work can have an impact on those around us.
With small language adjustments, we can be more conscious leaders, using words more effectively without outdated and unnecessary phrases. Here are a few common work phrases that have better alternatives:
“What’s wrong with you?” : If you notice a colleague struggling or experiencing challenges, there are more kind and compassionate ways to ask what’s going on.
Better options: “What happened to you?” or “What are you currently experiencing?”
“Throw under the bus” : No need to cite a violent traffic accident
Better options: “Don’t want to be blamed” or “I’m worried about the repercussions”
“Take a stab at it” : Survivors and loved ones who have had experiences with domestic or other violence involving stabbing do not need to be reminded of it
Better options: “Give it a go” or “Give it a shot”
“Trim the fat” : There are more effective ways to talk about reducing expenses than referring to the butchering process when talking about people’s jobs and livelihood
Better option: “Cut or reduce expenses”
“Bend over and take it” : This crude comment references sex position and is highly inappropriate (distinguished from the slightly more appropriate “bend over backwards”)
Better option: “I’m not open to feedback”
“Fetal position” : Many women have miscarried, had an abortion, or a stillbirth and “fetal” can be re-triggering
Better options: “Curl up on my side” or “lie down”
What would you add to the list? Send me a note or drop a comment.
