For all-staff and people managers
He/She/They/Hey!
Pronouns at work, explained plainly and without the sermon.
The singular ‘they’ has been in use since the 13th century. Chaucer used it. Shakespeare used it. The conversation people are treating as brand new is actually older than any of the people having it. This keynote starts there and goes forward, plainly, with the humour to keep a mixed-comfort room moving together. If you really want to be a pronoun ninja (it’s a technical term), check out my book Alphabet Soup.
If you’d like to build on this topic beyond the keynote, you can learn more about how I work with organizations on consulting engagements.
Trailer
See it in ninety seconds
Overview
What pronouns are, where they come from, and what it means to get them right
Pronouns have become a flashpoint in many workplaces, mostly because the conversation has been handled badly. Too much jargon, not enough context, and too much shaming of people who are genuinely trying to learn.
This keynote takes a different approach. It starts with what a pronoun actually is, walks through the kinds people use today, explains the history (it is longer than most expect), and makes clear why honouring pronouns is one of the most concrete signals of 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion a workplace can send.
Michael uses humour, evidence, and a patient tone to bring a mixed-comfort room along, so people leave able to do the right thing without tying themselves in knots over it.
What clients say
From the organizations that booked this talk
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It was an absolute pleasure experiencing all that is Michael Bach. He has the great ability to make those around him feel very comfortable to openly share their experiences and practices. His keynote presentation was enlightening, educational and engaging. Michael’s delivery style is completely authentic, combining both humour and storytelling to demystify the topic and help our employees understand the complexity of the 2SLGBTQI+ initialism.
Talent Management & Organizational Development team Cadillac Fairview
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Working with Michael is a very easy process, he’s very flexible with adapting any of his many options of topics or combining them to create a whole new presentation for you company. Having now worked with Michael twice, he is a delight to have a presenter, as he is informative and entertaining. This is our second time hosting Michael Bach as our Pride speaker and without fail I will always receive comments about how much people learned and how clear/well it was explained by Michael. It’s very specific skill set to be able to take a topic that could be difficult and explain it in a way that very easily relatable to anyone in the audience and Michael has that skill set in spades. Also overall Michael is a delight to work with, which makes the entire experience extra simple.
Jennifer West Event and Sponsorship Manager, Marketing Home Trust
Verified attendee feedback
What the rooms said
Combined, response-weighted scores from every delivery of this keynote, collected independently through Talkadot.
- 97%Memorable
- 96%Relevant
- 95%Actionable
- 95%Engaging
- Great content delivered in a smart, data driven way, by a highly engaging speaker. Though my knowledge of the content was already strong, it helped me to look at it in a new way. Attendee
- Riveting, educational, eye opening. While a serious topic, Michael's delivery was persuasive, entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny. Attendee
- I learned about grace and acceptance. Such a valuable presentation. Unique approach to a topic that can be uncomfortable. Amazing sense of humor. I adore Michael. It was like at first sight! Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
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Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
Sixty minutes is the standard, and it is adjustable in either direction. Tell me the slot and I will make it work.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. The structure and the audience interaction are the same in both formats. Virtual delivery works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or whatever platform your team is already using.
Who is this talk for?
Built for all-staff sessions, people manager cohorts, and employee resource groups. It also lands well with broader leadership audiences and anyone who has been uncertain about pronouns at work.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking starts with a prep call to tailor the examples, language, and case studies to your sector, your audience, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is part of the speaking fee, not an add-on.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send a note through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee, and a short note on fit.
Bring me to your stage
Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want people to leave thinking about. I will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your room.