Language Inclusion & Overcoming Microaggressions in the Workplace with Meenakshi Iyer

In this episode of Immigrant Conversations, we sit down with Meenakshi Iyer to discuss the challenges immigrants face in professional settings, especially when it comes to language and accents. Immigrants often encounter microaggressions related to their language skills and how they speak, leading to discrimination and bias. Meenakshi shares insights on: >Why it's essential to celebrate cultural diversity and how cultural identity enhances professional environments. >The importance of language inclusion and how it fosters a more equitable and inclusive society. >Real-life examples of microaggressions around language and accents that immigrants experience daily. >How organizations can adopt practices to create an environment where all employees, regardless of accent or language proficiency, feel respected and valued. If you've ever felt the sting of a language-related microaggression or want to learn more about language inclusion, this episode offers valuable insights into building a more inclusive, respectful workplace and society. Bio: Meenakshi Iyer thrives at the intersection of People, Process, and Technology. She is a T-shaped servant leader with an international and interdisciplinary career in IT, Agile/Business Process Transformation, international healthcare, HR, and Training, in India and the USA, spanning more than two decades. “Stop, breathe, think, act.” is her motto. Meenakshi is the Founder and Principal of NorthStar Solutions and Services - a future-of-work oriented, virtual coaching, training and consulting practice serving clients globally. She is an ICF-certified Personal Agility and Self-Leadership Coach. She specializes in supporting People and Technology leaders in co-creating their personal transformation and leadership development journeys. Meenakshi is fluent in four languages, and has lived and worked in 10+ cities in India and the US. Connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenakshi-iyer-northstar/ More about her and her work - https://www.northstaratwork.com/ Here are the TED talk links: Taiye Selasi: Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCKzpXEW6E Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg Sir Ken Robinson - Do schools kill creativity? - https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en