Workplace Challenges
How to communicate when someone else's mother tongue is not your ownGetting your message acrossUnless 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. |
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 [ 2007-09-07 ] |
(Comstock)
"The challenge of selling a concept to a non-fluent person is that if they do not fully understand you, they will not buy your ideas," says Randall Craig, management consultant, speaker and author of the career planning book Leaving the Mother Ship. "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, peers, or subordinates. It is also true when speaking to suppliers, customers and partners.
"As an exercise, go through some of your writing -- a proposal, an informal e-mail, and perhaps your resume. Then make it more understandable by checking it against the list. Use the same guidelines for your next presentation or interview," Craig says.
Do you have you a bad boss?