Read time: 3 min 51 sec

Whatup Reader!

Spent the weekend in Texas wearing a cowboy hat and wanted to share something that happened. No, it wasn’t a hate crime.

My boys Nick and Derek invited me back to speak at their Raise the Bar conference, and the title of the presentation I gave this year was, Dialed In: Turning Up What Matters Most for Scaling Your Impact. The feedback was AWESOME, and I’ve got to say that this year’s talk seemed to land with the audience more than any of the talks that I’ve given in the three years that I’ve spoken at this conference.

After the presentation, folks came up to me, wanting to chat and ask questions about their specific situations. One woman came up and addressed the elephant in the room: The fact that the majority the audience was white, and that for people of color like her and me, getting on a stage and getting in front of an audience can be very difficult. She went on to say that she was aware that her Indian accent might work against her, and she was wondering if I had any suggestions on how to navigate things.

Now, this same woman had actually come up to me during the break, just a few minutes before I was to go on stage to speak, and I’m not gonna lie, I had to ask her to repeat her name two times to me. There’s nothing wrong with that. More importantly, there’s nothing wrong with her name.

When I had asked her name, she had given me her business card and served me up a clever line for remembering how to pronounce her name: “It’s like She-tall.” Which was both helpful and on brand because she was in fact pretty tall. When I looked at her business card, I noticed that her Instagram handle was not the actual correct spelling of her name, Seethal, but rather, the phonetic pronunciation, Shetall.

I get it.

Doesn’t mean I have to stand for it.

When Seethal came up to me after my talk and asked me about getting on stages and navigating primarily white spaces as a person of color, one of the first things I said to her was to consider using her actual name as her Instagram handle.

She smiled at me and said that I was the first person who had ever suggested that to her.

People will figure it out. Yes, she’ll likely have to repeat herself. Yes, she’ll have to explain to people how to pronounce it. Yes, people will definitely get it wrong (the number of people who call me Shantal 🙄), but it’s her name, and people will figure it out.

I understand we have businesses to run and we want to decrease the friction experienced by potential clients. We are in the service industry, we are helpers, and we like to make things easier for our people. But to me, there are certain things that we don’t need to make easier for our clients, and I draw the line when it comes to my name and anyone else’s.

Thou shall say my name.

I might have to ask you a few times, but I will say your name.

It is my hope that you’ll take the time to make sure your pronouncing people’s names right.

And if you reading this have a name that meant you could never get one of those pre-made custom keychains at the souvenir shops, I have this message for you:

Show up as your whole self and say your name with your whole chest.

ESPECIALLY all my folks of color and anyone else who feels underrepresented (and likely underestimated) in spaces like the conference I was at last weekend.

My presentation was about scaling your impact by having the courage to show up as yourself so you can attract and serve the people who truly resonate with your message.

You’ll never do that by trying to fit in.

You’ll never stand out by trying to be the same as everyone else.

Your people will never be attracted by your light if you constantly keep dimming it.

Being “different” from the rest is your greatest advantage.

Don’t hide it.

Maestro out.

PS – If you’re looking for some help with Instagram from someone who’s going to tell you to use your given name and who will teach you how to show up as your whole self, click here to check out the info page and add your name to the waitlist for Round 15 of my Instagram Intensive. Registration opens next Monday, March 4th, and the waitlist gets first dibs, access to dope bonuses, and the only discount that I offer. Make moves.

PPS - I wouldn't be me if I didn't share this picture with you. There's a new sheriff in town.

Do the thing.

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