nuance – Good Comms | Where fairer systems begin

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Privilege: What it is, how not to abuse it, and how to use it for good

Inclusive communication, Inclusive leadership

Privilege. It’s not a slur, not a guilt-trip, and definitely not a reason to get defensive. It’s a reality. Some of us have unearned advantages that help us move through the world more easily. That doesn’t mean our lives are easy. Just that they’re not harder because of things like our skin colour, citizenship status, gender, or body.

Let’s get honest about what it is, how it shows up, and how we can use it to build a more equitable world.

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The power of nuance in an age of superlatives

Inclusive communication, Inclusive leadership

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.

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Inclusive communication, Inclusive leadership

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‘Ading’ and the way language defines relationships

Inclusive communication, Inclusive leadership

In Ilocano, ‘Ading’ means younger sibling or cousin. But to me, it’s always meant more than that. It’s a word wrapped in affection, responsibility, and the quiet joy of being looked after. Some words don’t just define relationships, they shape them.

In this reflection, I explore how Ilocano, Filipino, Dutch, and English each hold different emotional blueprints for care and connection. From Ate and Kuya to my all-time favourite Dutch word vertroetelen, language doesn’t just express culture, it teaches it. And sometimes, one word can remind you of who you are, where you belong, and why being called Ading still makes me feel forever young.

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Inclusive communication, Inclusive leadership