One evening I was driving my dog, Stella, to the vet and I saw a sign, that read, in part:

“Knive's”

As someone who cares about grammar, I’m always aware of the impact small mistakes can make—so this one stood out to me. I see rogue apostrophes everywhere.

Most people do their best and mean no harm or offence. Perhaps they never learned, have forgotten the rules, or have come to rely on autocorrect. Mistakes happen, but this particular business simply needed someone with the knowledge to proofread the sign.

And, mistakes with grammar are a lot like mistakes talking with and about Aboriginal people. Plenty of Australians (read: your workforce) have never had the opportunity to learn. Or they learned a number of years ago and have forgotten. Or they've come to rely on Aboriginal colleagues to monitor and catch their mistakes. But, unlike rogue apostrophes, this does cause harm. It makes your workplace unsafe for Aboriginal people.

Building Aboriginal cultural capability takes practice and a commitment to continuous learning. Ignoring mistakes or leaving it to others to fix isn’t enough. You need your own 'proofreader'. You need someone who can look at your work and your language to point out where you are making mistakes.

To create a truly safe, respectful, and productive workplace for Aboriginal people, we must all keep learning and improving. It’s the only way to genuinely improve services and grow an Aboriginal workforce that feels - and is - welcome and valued.

Here are five impactful ways a ‘proofreader’ can enhance your organisation's Aboriginal cultural capability and create a safer, more respectful workplace for Aboriginal people:

1. Uncover Hidden Blind Spots: Just like with grammar mistakes, many organisations aren’t aware of the ways they unintentionally exclude or disrespect Aboriginal people. A 'proofreader' can help identify these blind spots, ensuring that your policies, language, and practices align with cultural expectations and values.

2. Enhance Cultural Safety: A ‘proofreader’ is someone who brings an outside perspective, helping you understand how Aboriginal people experience your workplace. They can offer insights on how to make it a safer, more welcoming place, which leads to stronger retention and engagement of Aboriginal staff.

3. Prevent Missteps: By having someone skilled in Aboriginal cultural capability review your communications and actions, you can avoid costly and harmful missteps that damage trust. A 'proofreader' can guide your team in respectful, inclusive interactions that build stronger relationships with Aboriginal employees and communities.

4. Develop a Learning Culture: A ‘proofreader’ doesn’t just point out mistakes; they help your workforce learn and grow. They encourage continuous improvement, helping your organisation stay proactive in creating a culturally safe environment, which can directly improve your services and reputation.

5. Build Trust and Credibility: Having someone who can monitor and guide your organisation’s cultural capability efforts builds trust with Aboriginal communities. It shows that your organisation takes responsibility for getting it right, which ultimately helps you attract and retain a diverse, culturally capable workforce.

Building cultural capability is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing effort, just like ensuring your grammar is correct. By committing to continuous learning and improvement, you’re not just creating a better workplace - you’re also demonstrating respect and accountability to Aboriginal people. Now is the time to take meaningful action and foster an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and included.

Ready to ensure your organisation is getting it right when it comes to Aboriginal cultural capability? Answer a few short questions to get started, then you can book a call with me to see how we can work together to build a safer, more respectful, and productive workplace for Aboriginal people. Click here to begin.