You can’t build an inclusive, supportive culture with exclusive language.

One habit I recently mentioned that helped me make real progress: I stopped using “guys” when addressing a group. Here are a few small shifts that build community quickly:

  - “Team” or “everyone” or “ya’ll” (I’m not from the south… I still enjoy saying it) → not “guys”
  - “What questions do you have?” → not “Any questions?”
  - “Help me understand…” → not “Why did you…?”
  - “What do you need?” → not “How can I help?”
  - “And” to continue a good point → not “But” to erase it
  - “We” to share the recognition; → not “I”, even if the ownership is yours

I challenge you to pick one and use it in your next meeting or email! Five seconds per interaction, big difference over time.