Talks that educate and entertain
Keynotes
Dr. Suzanne Wertheim is an international keynote speaker with more than two decades of experience researching and speaking about inclusive language and language in the workplace.
Inclusive language is a hot topic these days.
People are afraid of getting cancelled, worried about saying hurtful things, or just eager to learn more and do better.
Your audience deserves the highest-quality keynote on inclusive language. A talk that is science-based but still entertaining. A talk that is filled with real-world examples and concepts that can be applied right away. A talk that covers sensitive topics with generosity and avoids blaming and shaming.
Common audiences for inclusive language talks and workshops are:
Marketing, PR, and communications
People managers
Recruiters and hiring managers
HR professionals
DEI practitioners
Leadership teams
Sales teams
Customer experience teams
Teachers, professors, and administrators
All of Dr. Wertheim’s keynotes are customized to match audience interests and needs. Don’t see exactly the right topic? Talk to us! We’ve got lots of other keynote options.
Looking for workshops? We’ve got some great ones.
Need a giveaway for your event? All of Dr. Wertheim’s keynotes pair with her book, The Inclusive Language Field Guide. The guide makes a great gift bag addition and event takeaway.
Ask us about the speaking fee discounts that come with bulk book orders!
Keynote: Inclusive Language at Work
Dr. Wertheim’s most frequently requested keynote, Inclusive Language at Work is the perfect introduction to inclusive language. (And the perfect complement to her book, which can be used as an event takeaway.)
Language is powerful. And every single thing you say and write affect your relationships with the people around you — including business relationships, like with clients, job candidates, readers and viewers, sales prospects, and more.
When you move beyond the dictionary, you can use scientific concepts to accurately assess why some language lands well and other language is problematic. And the six principles of inclusive language can become your new north star, allowing you to navigate language on your own.
Keynote: Three Language Habits Guaranteed to Improve Your Business Relationships
Language can feel like a minefield, and language mistakes can have powerfully negative consequences. Like the two words said by a salesperson that tanked a $4 million contract in its final stages. The three words that alienated a top recruit for an important position. And the one disrespectful habit that was left unchecked and drove away a high-performing employee.
In this talk, Dr. Wertheim gives you three inclusive language habits that will help you avoid painful mistakes like these. These language habits can be incorporated right away, and are guaranteed to improve your business relationships (and, as a bonus, your personal relationships as well!).
Keynote: Let’s Recognize and Bypass Unconscious Demotions
A doctor is mistaken for a nurse. A lawyer is assumed to be a secretary. A customer is treated like a criminal. Why do these mistakes keep happening? And what makes these kinds of “unconscious demotions” so dangerous?
This talk explains the science behind unconscious demotions. Dr. Wertheim goes over how they show up, why they can be so harmful, and what we can do to avoid them.
Keynote: How Linguistic Distortions Make Our Lives Harder
Did you know that problematic language can subtly distort reality? These distortions lead us to biased mental models and harmful outcomes, especially when it comes to HR and organizational development.
This talk focuses on two linguistic distortions. The first, “inflating language,” suggests that reasonable behavior is threatening, inappropriate, or otherwise problematic. The second, “softening language,” suggests that problematic behavior is actually ok.
These distortions affect decision making in hiring, performance reviews, work assignments, succession planning, and more. By recognizing and seeing through these linguistic distortions, we can make better decisions and create better outcomes.
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