I believe that everyone should have access to opportunities for success, but we need to start breaking down the barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential. We also need to recognize that the road to success isn’t paved by ourselves, and that we’re all responsible for creating an environment where we can thrive.
As a writer, I often encounter writers who can barely string together sentences. I also have met quite a few people who claim to be skilled writers, but fail to write anything.
In this post, I’ll discuss why this is the case, and how you can change that. I'll share some tools I've found useful for building community, and I hope you’ll use them, too.
What I’m talking about here isn’t the same thing as diversity training. It’s about creating a community where people can interact and learn without fear of being judged or rejected.
What is the Difference Between Diversity and Inclusion?
There’s a difference between diversity and inclusion. Diversity is something that happens when people come together to have similar backgrounds and experiences. There’s no guarantee that everyone will have the same background and experience. You might meet someone who comes from a different country than you, or has a different skin color than yours.
Inclusion, on the other hand, is about treating people with respect regardless of the differences.
Why Do People Fear Being Judged or Rejected?
Many people, including myself, don’t like being judged, or even getting feedback that they’re doing something wrong. In order to get past this, we end up avoiding asking others for feedback or advice. This is especially true with younger writers, who struggle with the fear of being judged.
This fear also extends to the workplace. Many people feel uncomfortable applying for jobs because they know that someone is going to judge them based on their skills, education, or even their appearance.
What Can Writers Do To Build Inclusive Communities?
Communities aren’t just about having diverse backgrounds. They also require diverse communication styles and personalities. Here are a few tips I’ve used to build communities in my own life:
Focus on positive feedback
I’ve noticed that when I focus on giving positive feedback and showing people what they’re doing well, they start to appreciate the feedback. Even if someone gives me a hard critique, I try to remain positive in the moment. This doesn’t mean I ignore negative feedback, it just means I focus on the good in the conversation.
Set ground rules early on
When you set ground rules and expectations for the interactions you have, you remove a lot of room for judgment. If you know in advance that you’re going to talk about politics, religion, or politics, then you can avoid a lot of conflict.