how to invite and make space for the sharing of personal pronouns

Individually

There are various steps individuals who are comfortable with sharing their pronouns can do to invite and make space for others to also share their pronouns if they wish. Here are a few examples:

1. Share your pronouns first. This lets others know that sharing of pronouns is okay, and models one way of sharing them.


2. When asking people to introduce themselves (at a meeting, for example), invite them to share pronouns by saying something like “Introduce yourself with your name, your role on this project, your pronouns if you like, and what you hope to accomplish in today’s meeting.”
   Note: extend this invitation equally to everyone. Do not single out the people that you think look gender-diverse.


3. Share your pronouns in your email signature and with your screen name on video conferencing services.


4. When meeting someone new in a work or formal context, use this three-part introduction: Name, Pronouns, Job Position. This models the sharing of pronouns and sets an example for how the other person could share, yet leaves it open for them to just share Name and Job Position. Note that having three parts to your own introduction, means that someone who prefers not to share their pronouns still has two items to share, which is less awkward than only saying their name.


5. If attending an event where name tags are provided, adding your pronouns after your name is an easy way to normalize the sharing of pronouns.

Corporately

There are various initiatives a company can take to invite and make space for the sharing of pronouns by employees and clients. Here are some examples: 

1. Provide education and awareness about pronouns. Use a mix of live training and info sheets.


2. Create an official email signature template that indicates how and where pronouns fit in, for those who want to include them. 


3. At corporate meetings, invite those who are speaking and presenting to include their pronouns if they like when introducing themselves. If a host will be introducing presenters, ask ahead of time if they would like their pronouns included in the introduction.


4. At corporate video-based events, invite attendees to add their pronouns to their display name if they want -- and let them know how to do this.


5. Leaders in an organization can set a good example and model how to share pronouns by sharing their own.

by Rob Goetze

To learn more, watch my 36 minute video on "A Practical Guide to the New World of Pronouns" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdtVLgU6OxA&t=6s