Identify Ways To Properly Pronounce People’s Names
One of the most exclusionary and dismissive acts we can commit is to mispronounce someone’s name. I have sat uncomfortably in meetings as colleagues either awkwardly stumbled over a name (sometimes repeatedly without asking for correction), blatantly avoided addressing someone directly, referring to them as ‘him,’ ‘her,’ or ‘you,’ or in the worst instances, clearly made up a pronunciation or nickname on their own, all without any regard for the discomfort, agitation, or dignity of the person being addressed. To avoid these situations, consider doing the following:
Simply ask the person how to pronounce their name. Maybe even ask them outside of or ahead of a meeting so the exchange doesn’t have to play out in front of other people.
Normalize having people provide a phonetic spelling of their name, if they choose – maybe in their email signature or beside their name on Zoom.
Normalize accepting correction. It’s no less uncomfortable for someone to have to keep correcting people than it is to be corrected. When someone corrects you, listen.
Perhaps best of all, have a discussion with your workforce about ways to address this challenge. They may have some best practices to share.