The all-inclusive reading guide for your summer break

Fancy something more challenging to read on the beach than the latest Danielle Steel or James Patterson? Then let IMD professors inspire you with their book recommendations on the thorny topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The Inclusive Language Handbook: A Guide to Better Communication and Transformational Leadership

by Jackie Ferguson and Roxanne Bellamy  

Word choice matters, particularly nowadays when language is becoming more nuanced. This book is a valuable resource that helps us to choose words thoughtfully in our pursuit of inclusive language. It’s a very practical guide which discusses seven identity categories: 1. Gender identity, sex, and sexuality; 2. Disability and invisible illness; 3. Mental, emotional, and cognitive diversity; 4. Physicality; 5. Cultural diversity – race, ethnicity, and nationality; 6. Religion; 7. Acquired diversity. Each section contains best-practice inclusive language guidelines. There is also a reference table of specific suggestions for inclusive terminology as well as a list of colloquial expressions to avoid because of their discriminatory histories. Some of the suggestions may raise eyebrows and might not be accepted by everyone, but the book increases our sensitivity about language use. It makes you question some of our linguistic habits. 

Ginka Toegel, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Leadership