#09 - A Business Leader's Guide for speaking on current global and social events
The Language Matters Memo is a monthly newsletter from Sadia Siddiqui focused on fostering more progressive and inclusive language.
Hello, and welcome to the October issue. This month's edition is more focused than usual. Given the continued crisis in Israel and Palestine, I wanted to share a guide for team leaders on how to speak on the situation in a way that upholds everyone who’s been and continues to be impacted. Before I share these thoughts, I have my usual cultural recommendation. If you read it, I hope it provides some levity in these sad times.
You must read You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi.
I came across this book via the Bad on Paper podcast, which featured it as one of their monthly 'book club reads'. I don't particularly gravitate towards romance as a genre, but the premise sounded messy, and if I'm honest, that’s what roped me in.
Here's a brief synopsis:
Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again. It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life, and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio and sharing a New York apartment with best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but an encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career. She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the overwhelming attraction Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits—his father. This new life she asked for got much more complicated, and Feyi must begin searching for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honour her grief while embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?
The book’s title was inspired by the Florence + the Machine song “Hunger”, which features the lyric “How could anything bad ever happen to you? / You make a fool of death with your beauty.” The author, Akwaeke Emezi, has said they chose the title as it speaks to the idea that vibrance and beauty are connected to living life fully, and that mirrors the journey the book’s protagonist is on following the death of her husband.
I gravitate towards books with a solid central thread as I need to know where I’m headed. For me - the key theme was living your life to the max. That thought permeated throughout the book - from the rich yet urgent prose to the vibrant descriptions of food and the beautiful tropical setting to the descriptions of the character's innermost feelings. The book came to life in the way that only the best books can. It may sound like hyperbole, but it felt like it had its own pulse, making it a refreshing read.
Emezi is the author of seven books to date, and this was their first foray into romance. The fact that they typically write contemporary fiction meant the book circumvented the usual romance novel tropes. I didn't find myself relating to any of the characters in particular, as you’re encouraged to do with romances. It didn't matter that I could not see myself in Feyi or some of her actions - the connection was the enduring truth that we should all seek to live life fully. All in all, it was a fresh take on romance and one that I adored consuming.
You can buy You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi here.
Leadership Guide: How to speak to your teams about current events
Copyright: Getty Images
Before I share my thoughts, I wanted to provide some context for my thinking.
First and foremost, this guide is a ‘guide': Although many comms professionals read this newsletter, the audience is geographically and professionally diverse. Given that various industries and sectors have specific norms, language and ways of doing business - this won’t/can’t be a one-size-fits-all. I hope, however, that irrespective of what industry you work in and your location, it provides some necessary guidance.
Your approach must be rooted in principle: The points below are not necessarily to be shared with your teams precisely as presented below. However, they should be considered if detailed discussions occur.
People are not their governments. Just as I do not want to be held accountable on a world stage for the actions of the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, innocent Israelis and Palestinians and thereby Muslims and Jews are not responsible or answerable for the actions of Hamas or the Israeli government.
We must resist the request to make binary choices and forfeit each other's feelings. There cannot be a hierarchy when it comes to humanity.
We must disrupt any antisemitism or Islamophobia. Whenever and whenever we encounter it.
Jews and Muslims are hurting. It’s a frightening time, and many of us feel physically and psychologically vulnerable. The rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia feels unprecedented, and even when we may not be immediately identifiable as members of those faith groups, it does not mean we do not feel and observe the impact here in our home countries. It's essential to recognise that Muslims and Jews are minoritised communities, so we must avoid further marginalisation in the workplace or beyond.
Two things can be true at once: One can condemn the terrorism unleashed by Hamas on innocent Israelis and be horrified by the war currently being waged by Israel on innocent Palestinians. The death tolls are beyond comprehension, and we should resist all attempts to make a binary choice. Empathy for the victims should not come with conditions.
An immediate ceasefire, releasing all hostages, and meaningful and mediated peace talks are the only ways forward. While it is hard not to despair, especially as we consider the imminent ground invasion, we should look to Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the countries of the former Yugoslavia as examples of where peace has prevailed. I'm feeling incredibly sad right now, but I'm choosing to remember that Diversity & Inclusion work is predicated on hope and action, and we cannot let that light diminish. Do what you can to bring about meaningful change, from attending vigils to joining marches or writing/calling your Member of Parliament/Elected Representative to call for an immediate ceasefire.
Q. Should I say something?
A. Yes and no. CEOs and Business leads aren’t expected to solve the region's complexities. Unless the crisis directly impacts your business, focus on internal communications versus public statements. Similar to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, the crisis in Israel and Gaza, Palestine is a monoculture moment. The whole world is rightly focused on the region, and it feels insensitive not to acknowledge what is happening, especially in diverse workplaces where many people have links to the area. Internal communications are invaluable because how employees think directly impacts the business's performance, but most importantly, employees need to feel and be supported.
If you're concerned about how to frame your messaging, consider how the crisis directly impacts your business. If your business is about healthcare or providing services to children, focus your messaging around this and the importance of access to good healthcare and children's rights and how important that is as a value to your business. A human-centric response is critical to ensure balance and sensitivity and demonstrate and extend empathy to everyone impacted.
Q. How can I provide tangible support to my team?
A. Here are seven ways to provide support:
Highlight what well-being resources and assistance are available. You can use your existing internal communications channels and encourage teams to use these services.
Offer flexibility. Provide those directly impacted with flexible working schedules, be mindful that the crisis may affect their performance, and make concessions accordingly.
Encourage open, human-centric and empathetic communication. Conduct regular check-ins. It will be an opportunity to see how people are and reemphasise the available resources.
Manage political conversations. This is challenging, especially considering people's identities have been politicised. There will be those who will want you to refrain from speaking out or disagree with how you frame things - avoid getting into a back and forth by centring humanity versus the geo-political aspects of the crisis. These geo-political factors are significant and central to the situation, but in a professional setting, they can lead to a back and forth and a declaration to 'take sides', which may leave some feeling ostracised and unseen, which will ultimately impact the long-term cohesion of the business. All employees must be treated equally to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace. This means speaking up and addressing inappropriate or insensitive comments that are ultimately discriminatory.
Assess forthcoming company plans. As we approach the holiday season, consider what form celebrations such as Halloween or Thanksgiving should take. Please don't make a call without canvassing your teams; it may be the lightness they are looking for at this time of sadness.
Keep checking in with your teams. Add the crisis to the leadership agenda so that it's being discussed and kept front of mind, especially given we do not know how the situation will unfold.
Donate: This is one of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate your care and empathy for all those affected.
Q. What else do you think I should consider?
A. Language matters, so you must strive to be balanced by acknowledging the universal and genuine pain many in your organisation are feeling. Please ensure that as many senior eyes are across your communications to ensure it is measured and unbiased.
Q. Anything else?
A. Actions speak volumes, and this is amplified in times of crisis. How we conduct ourselves in times of crisis will impact employee trust, loyalty and overall well-being moving forward. We must act responsibly at all times.
I feel nervous each time I publish a newsletter. I fret about there being typos, if I’ve rambled too much, or if anyone will care about what I have to say. This is the most nervous I’ve been about publishing something, and it’s because of the nature of the topic. I am instead holding the advice that my father always gives me when it comes to my professional working life; "Always strive to do the right thing, the moral thing, and stay on the right path”. I think that’s something that should apply to all facets of our lives. I hope this issue is helpful and provides you with the guidance you may have sought.
Until next month, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. From my family to yours,
I read this book this summer and agree it’s a fantastic story. I’ve also read the ‘death of Vivek Oji’ which is another great read.
Thank you for these helpful guidelines.