Inclusive Communication in Ethical Leadership

Inclusive communication is a vital component of ethical leadership, playing a crucial role in fostering fairness, trust, and collaboration within organizations.

At the heart of ethical leadership lies inclusive communication—an approach that ensures all voices are heard, respected, and valued. Inclusive communication not only reflects an organization’s commitment to ethical practices but also fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation. In a recent interview, Elation Communications President and CEO Jerrica Thurman discusses how inclusive communication is a cornerstone of ethical leadership with Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ANCP, who serves as the fractional chief operating officer at Elation Communications. She is also the founder of Rogue Tulips Consulting and the podcast called Radio Free 501c. Sepp is an expert of the ethical nonprofit and provides the latest educational training and resources about ethics for the 501c professional. She was recently appointed to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Ethics Committee for 2024-2025, which is dedicated to helping nonprofit professionals understand and apply ethics in their daily lives.

Sepp explains why ethics and inclusive communication are critical components of effective leadership in the workplace. “Ethics comes from the Greek word ‘ethos’, which means ‘character’. Ethics is a way to show the world what kind of person you are. It starts with the individual and their behavior,” she says. “A big part of ethics is strong communication and making sure your language is inclusive so that everyone understands what you’re talking about. A code of conduct helps everyone to understand what the common language means and sets the expectations of behavior.”

Sepp also addresses how inclusive communication in ethical leadership promotes fairness and equality, builds trust and transparency, encourages diverse perspectives, and enhances employee engagement. She unpacks how ethics and inclusive communication intersect and ways leaders can ensure their communication style is respectful and inclusive of people from different backgrounds and cultures. She provides explicit strategies for leaders to ensure that non-native speakers and those with different communication styles feel included and valued in team discussions. And she urges leaders to stay informed about the evolving changes in our diverse world and remain knowledgeable about appropriate inclusive language practices so they can incorporate them into their professional communications.

A strong advocate for ethical practices, Sepp emphasizes when ethical leaders prioritize inclusivity, they set the tone for a positive organizational culture. This commitment to inclusion creates a culture of respect and collaboration, where all individuals are motivated to work towards common goals. She highlights innovative methods for how to implement inclusive communications in ethical leadership during the 22-minute interview with Jerrica. They urge all leaders to become inclusive communicators. Learn more about this relevant topic. Take time to tune in!

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