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Workplace Diversity and Global Business: Speaking to be heard when someone else's mother tongue is not your own
Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Leaving the Mother Ship
Toronto, July 10, 2007 -- Unless you are a hermit, you probably have a manager, subordinate, customer or supplier whose mother tongue is not your own. With increased diversity and a more global business environment, expect this to happen more frequently.
Says Randall Craig, management consultant, speaker and author of the career planning book Leaving the Mother Ship: "The challenge of selling a concept to a non-fluent person is simple: if they do not understand you, they will not buy your ideas. And if they don't buy your ideas, they won't buy you -- a critical issue if you are looking to sell yourself into a promotion, a special project or a new job"
The problem is compounded by the fear of embarrassment; few people in positions of authority are keen to admit a lack of understanding. They assume that an admission can be interpreted as a lack of intellect or a lack of business acumen.
So how do you make sure that your message is heard - and understood? According to Randall Craig, you should keep these points in mind:
1. Understanding is in the mind of the recipient, not the speaker.
2. Use simple grammar.
3. Use shorter words when possible.
4. Use contextual clues to reinforce meaning.
5. Avoid using idioms and unclear expressions.
6. Give examples for key points, and explain concepts a second time using different word choices.
7. Follow-up a conversation with a memo. (They can discretely look up unfamiliar words.)
8. Don't speak louder to them. They hear your words quite well - they may just not understand them.
9. Speak at a measured, "average" pace. If you speak too slowly, you will seem patronizing.
10. Don't mistake your cultural clues for theirs. For example, nodding or saying "yes" may only indicate that your words were received - but the words may not be understood. And if this is the case, saying "yes" has nothing to do with gaining agreement.
11. Don't assume that because someone has an accent that they aren't as fluent as you; they may be.
The value of simple communication is that your message will be better understood by everyone - whether their mother tongue is yours, or not. This is true when speaking to your manager, your peers, or your subordinates. It is also true when speaking to suppliers, customers and partners.
Adds Randall Craig: "As an exercise, go through some of your writing -- a proposal, an informal email, and perhaps your resume. Then make it more understandable by checking it against this list. Use the same guidelines for your next presentation or interview"
***
Randall Craig has founded several start-ups, held a long-time position at a "big four" consulting firm, and was an executive at a public company. His clients have included international financial institutions, public companies, not-for-profits, government, and a number of entrepreneurial companies. In addition to writing Leaving the Mother Ship, The Working Resume and Personal Balance Sheet, he writes a weekly career column on Monster.ca, is a regular guest on a number of radio talk shows, and lectures at the Schulich School of Business. He holds an HBA, CFA, MBA, and a Black Belt in Karate. For more information, visit www.RandallCraig.com.
If you are interested in an interview with Randall Craig on this or related career and workplace issues, please contact:
Shannon Skinner
Public Relations
416-405-8809
shannon@ComfyChairProductions.com
Randall Craig
Phone : 416-256-7773
Fax : 416-256-7763
randall@RandallCraig.com
Says Randall Craig, management consultant, speaker and author of the career planning book Leaving the Mother Ship: "The challenge of selling a concept to a non-fluent person is simple: if they do not understand you, they will not buy your ideas. And if they don't buy your ideas, they won't buy you -- a critical issue if you are looking to sell yourself into a promotion, a special project or a new job"
The problem is compounded by the fear of embarrassment; few people in positions of authority are keen to admit a lack of understanding. They assume that an admission can be interpreted as a lack of intellect or a lack of business acumen.
So how do you make sure that your message is heard - and understood? According to Randall Craig, you should keep these points in mind:
1. Understanding is in the mind of the recipient, not the speaker.
2. Use simple grammar.
3. Use shorter words when possible.
4. Use contextual clues to reinforce meaning.
5. Avoid using idioms and unclear expressions.
6. Give examples for key points, and explain concepts a second time using different word choices.
7. Follow-up a conversation with a memo. (They can discretely look up unfamiliar words.)
8. Don't speak louder to them. They hear your words quite well - they may just not understand them.
9. Speak at a measured, "average" pace. If you speak too slowly, you will seem patronizing.
10. Don't mistake your cultural clues for theirs. For example, nodding or saying "yes" may only indicate that your words were received - but the words may not be understood. And if this is the case, saying "yes" has nothing to do with gaining agreement.
11. Don't assume that because someone has an accent that they aren't as fluent as you; they may be.
The value of simple communication is that your message will be better understood by everyone - whether their mother tongue is yours, or not. This is true when speaking to your manager, your peers, or your subordinates. It is also true when speaking to suppliers, customers and partners.
Adds Randall Craig: "As an exercise, go through some of your writing -- a proposal, an informal email, and perhaps your resume. Then make it more understandable by checking it against this list. Use the same guidelines for your next presentation or interview"
***
Randall Craig has founded several start-ups, held a long-time position at a "big four" consulting firm, and was an executive at a public company. His clients have included international financial institutions, public companies, not-for-profits, government, and a number of entrepreneurial companies. In addition to writing Leaving the Mother Ship, The Working Resume and Personal Balance Sheet, he writes a weekly career column on Monster.ca, is a regular guest on a number of radio talk shows, and lectures at the Schulich School of Business. He holds an HBA, CFA, MBA, and a Black Belt in Karate. For more information, visit www.RandallCraig.com.
If you are interested in an interview with Randall Craig on this or related career and workplace issues, please contact:
Shannon Skinner
Public Relations
416-405-8809
shannon@ComfyChairProductions.com
Randall Craig
Phone : 416-256-7773
Fax : 416-256-7763
randall@RandallCraig.com
