— Browse through my writing through my blog now titled:
in other words
The power of nuance in an age of superlatives
In a previous post, I explored how nuance is often matched with native speakers sometimes have the privilege of being imprecise with language. When words come easily, it’s tempting to reach for dramatic phrases without thinking carefully about what they really mean. But nuanced thinking doesn’t belong only to native speakers. In fact, people who’ve had to learn languages carefully—weighing each word choice—often develop sharper skills for recognizing complexity and avoiding oversimplification.
Good communication goes beyond mother-tongue fluency
‘Native speaker’ sounds like a standard of excellence, but is it really? In many organisations, someone’s mother tongue is still seen as the gold standard for language skill. But look closer, and that assumption doesn’t hold up, and it often excludes talented professionals. In this blog, I make the case for a more inclusive understanding of language expertise: one that focuses not on where you’re from, but on what you can actually do with language.
Goede communicatie gaat verder dan moedertaal
‘Native speaker’ klinkt als een kwaliteitslabel, maar is dat het ook? In veel organisaties wordt moedertaalgebruik nog steeds gezien als dé maatstaf voor taalvaardigheid. Maar wie goed kijkt, ziet dat deze aanname niet alleen onjuist is, maar ook mensen uitsluit. In deze blog breek ik een lans voor een inclusiever taalbegrip: eentje dat niet focust op afkomst, maar op wat iemand écht met taal kan.
The European Accessibility Act: Essential do’s and don’ts for communication professionals
On 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially takes effect and if you work in communication, you need to care.
Because whether you’re crafting web copy, producing videos, writing internal newsletters, or managing social content, you’re shaping how people access information. And soon, how you do that won’t just be a nice-to-have. It’ll be the law.
Referrals reimagined: A more inclusive way to hire
Employee referrals can speed up hiring and boost retention but they can also quietly reinforce bias, privilege, and sameness. In this post, I unpack how referral programmes often reward social capital over potential, why family-based referrals can undermine equity, and what HR teams can do to shift from “culture fit” to “culture add”.
It’s time to ask: are your referrals building diversity—or just deepening your echo chamber?
What Pippi Langkous can teach us about courageous leadership
Last week, we visited friends whose daughter is absolutely enchanted by Pippi Langkous. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t be? She’s strong enough to lift a horse, cheeky enough to mock authority, and free enough to live by her own rules. But as I watched this little girl talk about Pippi adventures with sparkling eyes, it struck me: this pigtailed rebel might have more to say about courageous leadership than we give her credit for.
Pippi may be fictional, but her approach to the world embodies many of the traits today’s leaders need: boldness, empathy, boundary-setting, and the ability to disrupt what no longer serves. Here’s what leaders at any level can learn from her.
Your story matters
Why do communicators struggle to tell their own stories? In this episode of the IABC EMENA region podcast, I speak with storytelling strategist Lucy Eckley about how to craft a personal narrative that connects, inspires, and leads.
From a practical five-part framework to insights on inclusion, visibility, and career growth, this episode will help you own your story with clarity and confidence.
Trust-building: the quiet power of everyday internal communication
We often celebrate internal communication as the engine of change—but what if much of its power lies in the everyday? In this post, I explore why routine communication matters more than we think, and how it quietly builds trust, inclusion, and a sense of belonging across organisations, just like inclusive leadership.
Presenting our three-level approach to inclusive leadership
Building on insights from the studies by Nishii, Leroy, and Korkmaz, this post illustrates how ACES, ALLIES, and BELONG complement theoretical and practical perspectives on inclusive leadership. By addressing the individual, team, and organizational levels, these frameworks translate academic insights into actionable strategies for fostering inclusion.
Understanding inclusive leadership through key frameworks
Inclusive leadership has emerged as a vital approach for fostering diversity, equity, and belonging in today’s organizations. It is not merely about surface-level inclusivity but encompasses deep, systemic engagement across individuals, teams, and organizations. In this blogpost, I’m focusing on two key studies that provide comprehensive frameworks for understanding inclusive leadership.
On growing gardens, internal communities and causing quiet revolutions
In the latest episode of the IABC EMENA region podcast, I spoke with internal community strategist Tony Stewart about what it takes to build purposeful communities within organisations. Using the metaphor of a garden, Tony invites us to rethink internal community management as intentional, strategic, and deeply human work.
From the hidden value of employee resource groups to the quiet revolutions that start with a single translated message, this conversation is for anyone navigating culture, communication, or change inside organisations.
Leading with humility: the powerfully good legacy of Pope Francis
I was born and raised a Catholic. Over the years, my relationship with the Church has evolved—shaped by life experience, critical thinking, and my own search for justice and belonging. And yet, some figures leave an imprint that transcends doctrine. Pope Francis was one of them. His leadership spoke not just to Catholics, but to anyone longing for a more compassionate and inclusive world. That’s why I felt compelled to write this. Not just as a tribute, but as a reflection on the kind of leadership the world needs more of.