Inclusive Ways to Address People & Groups

This is not a pitch for political correctness.

It’s about respect.

I want to share with you a few simple, practical ways I have learned to successfully (and safely) address any group of people I am leading.

But First, The Scars

Early in my career, I can remember leading a terrific workshop with a group of teachers, most of whom were female. At one point, I happened to refer to the group in a manner I had become accustomed to using because I had been spending a LOT of time in the United States.

It sounded like this:

“Okay guys, let’s move on.”

Well.

I was quickly admonished for failing to use a more inclusive term because – as it was clearly evident to all in the room – most of the group were not “guys” in the literal sense of the word.

At the time I pleaded the case that it was not my intention to offend anyone, but today, I realise that this is not the point. Intention is clearly important, but so is what I say and how it lands for the other person or, in this instance, my group.

Lesson learned.

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Addressing Groups Through Trial & Error

Adopting an experiential approach (and still smarting from the ‘guys’ experience,) I started trialling a wide variety of group nomenclatures to find something that worked, such as:

• Friends – this was okay, but I don’t know most of the groups I work with, so not so useful;
• People – well, yes, this term is factually correct, but a bit impersonal;
• Ladies & Gentlemen – hmmmm, kind of formal and not really my style; and
• Team – rarely useful, especially when I was working with disparate groups.

Long story short, I settled on “Folks,” and this has pretty much landed well for all of the groups I have encountered. Students, teachers, administrators, corporate workers, teammates, campers, etc.

ps: A group of young people once remarked that they were not “old people” and couldn’t understand why I referred to them as such. Puzzled, I could not recall using that term so I asked what did they mean. They said something to the effect, “You keep calling us folks.” So I guess you can’t always win 🙂

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I have often regarded respect as one of the Golden Rules – respect for self, others and the environment. This triumvirate pretty much guides my life, both professional and personal.

So, I encourage you to consider how you address your groups because, in my perspective, it can make a big difference.

For example, a camp leader I worked with for a summer always addressed the 250+ male campers he was in charge of as “gentlemen.” It seemed so formal to me at first. Why not “kids” or “boys” or even “children?” But, as it was explained to me, using a term such as gentlemen gave the boys something to aspire to, rather than calling them a bunch of other less-affirming names, which may fuel a much less desirable outcome.

And it worked. So, it was a no-brainer that I adopted this same approach when I became camp leader (for 5 x summers.)

Yes, the term was respectful, but it also gave my boys something to live up to. A group of gentlemen were less likely to start a food fight in the dining hall than a bunch of #$%%^#@!!, if you get my drift.

Certainly, my 250+ gentlemen caused their fair share of strife during my camp leadership days, but I truly believe it impacted their behaviours because all things are created in language. My language (and that of my staff) set a high bar for our expectations of their behaviour. And this approach was always going to create an air of respect, which was typically reciprocated by the campers.

Other Ways to Address People & Groups

With thanks to Andrew Wood from The Browne Center and Lorraine Connell (Peers Not Fears program,) I offer this list of other (mostly fun) ways to refer to groups of people:

• Howdy y’all
• Fellow humans
• Guys, gals, and nonbinary pals
• Party people
• Students and scholars
• Ghouls and goblins
• Movers and shakers
• Witches, warlocks, and children of the night
• All of the skeletons (and their owners) in the crowd
• Citizens of the solar system
• Brain owners
• People of Earth

I’m not sure that I would ever use some of these terms. But, if you’re looking for more ideas, I’m sure a search on your favourite web browser will pull up even more.

What are your favoured ways to address groups of people?

Share in the comments below.

By Mark Collard - Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

Comments (4)

1. 

   Jade Lapuz January 26, 2024

   Comment via email from Alex Dobrovansky:

   I loved your article on inclusive language! It took me some time to break the habit of addressing everyone as ‘guys,’ but I’ve made a conscious effort to incorporate ‘folks’ into my vocabulary as well.

   Given the increasing number of individuals identifying as gender non-conforming, I believe it’s crucial that we strive for greater inclusivity.
   I definitely notice it and find it particularly meaningful when people use inclusive language, as it really fosters a sense of safety while also signaling that the speaker is an inclusive and safe person

   One phrase I’ve adopted when addressing a group is “Ladies, Gentlemen, and Other Distinguished Guests.” It might feel a bit funny using it in front of a group of kids, but I find it to be a delightful choice!
2. 

   markjehlers January 9, 2024

   I wonder if this is a “Mark” thing because I, too, do my best to avoid “guys”. My solution? I use “everyone” as in, “Okay everyone, if we can come back together as a larger group…..” In my mind it is respectful, equitable, and (hopefully) not controversial.
   1. 

      Mark Collard January 9, 2024

      Come to think of it Mark, yes, I think I use this term from time to time, too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
   2. 

      jeWElle de Mesa January 24, 2024

      my go-to as welllll! plus ‘everybody’, ‘people!’. (“,)