Knowing exactly what to say when facing a discriminatory situation takes practice. To help ensure your intervention remains constructive and doesn’t get derailed, follow the Confirm-Inform-Transform format.
Confirm-Inform-Transform is an easy way of remembering how to frame your calling-in conversations so that they are both transformative and relationship preserving.
| Step | Details | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm | Make sure you have the facts. Ask for clarification. Approach with curiosity. Listen without judgement. | I want to make sure I understand what you mean, can you repeat it? Did you mean…? |
| Inform | Identify the mistake Describe the impact. Share new information or perspective without condescension or attachment. Use I statements | Are you aware… Did you know… I’ve had a different experience… This is what I’ve learned… |
| Transform | Appeal to a common vision or sense of responsibility. Invite/nudge the person to act | We have a responsibility… Let’s work on this together… Let’s keep talking about this… |