1. Lead by Example: Share Your Pronouns When You Introduce Yourself
At HARMAN, leadership in inclusivity starts with everyday actions. Including your pronouns when introducing yourself is a simple yet effective way to demonstrate inclusivity and normalize this practice. Whether you're in a project meeting, a cross-departmental collaboration, or sending an email, sharing your pronouns after your name encourages others to do the same.
Why it matters?
"Openly sharing your pronouns shows respect for gender diversity and creates a safer space for colleagues who might feel uncomfortable sharing their pronouns or correcting others. By taking the initiative to share your pronouns, you can also encourage others to do the same and contribute to a supportive and inclusive workplace culture," says Yvonne, one of our HARMAN Pride ERG members.
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2. Correct Mistakes with Kindness and Move Forward
At HARMAN, we’re all about progress over perfection. Mistakes in pronoun usage will happen. What's crucial is how we respond when those mistakes occur. If you use the wrong pronoun, quickly correct yourself and move on with the conversation. For example, "She's leading the meeting—sorry, they're leading the meeting." If someone corrects you, a brief "Thank you" and continuing the conversation shows that you're committed to learning and improving without making the individual uncomfortable.
Why it matters?
"Promptly acknowledging you misgendered someone and correcting yourself shows you care. If someone else makes a mistake, be patient and understanding. Correct them gently if needed, and offer support to those who may feel hurt by the mistake. Take the initiative to learn and remember colleagues' pronouns, and foster an inclusive environment by using gender-neutral language and supporting others in doing the same," advises Ka Ho Yau, another of our proud ERG members.
3. Normalize Conversations Around Pronouns
Normalizing discussions around pronouns strengthens our inclusivity efforts in the tech industry, where teamwork and collaboration are vital. By building a culture where all individuals are valued and respected, we enable greater collaboration and innovation across teams. We can actively create that inclusive environment with simple acts, such as including pronouns in email signatures and internal communication tools or respectfully asking someone what their pronouns are. By doing this, we ensure we're using correct pronouns and demonstrate that we care about making all employees feel respected and comfortable. And allies play a crucial role here.
Why it matters
"Allies are essential in fostering and normalizing discussions around pronouns and other LGBTQ+ topics that need "education" and greater visibility. They can help by having conversations, sharing resources, and explaining why using the right pronouns is more than just about language—it's about dignity and respect for who someone is. In many ways, allies are agents of change, helping to create a world where everyone can be seen and respected for who they truly are," says Gisselle LGBTQIA+ member and HARMAN Pride ERG champion.
At HARMAN, diversity isn't just about who we hire; it's about fostering an environment where everyone can contribute their unique perspectives. We believe that diversity without inclusion is a significant barrier to success. Respecting pronouns is a small but significant step towards building a culture where diversity of identity leads to diversity of ideas—and that's where true innovation happens.
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