Do You Speak Their Language?
When you hear Happy Monday, and your native or fluently learned language is English, the phrase makes sense. In some languages, there’s no direct translation that conveys the same happy sentiment. The same is true of the phrase “pet peeve”. For example, when providing a Make Difficult People Disappear program in other parts of the world, our founder Monica Wofford has to replace the words “pet peeve” with “things that annoy you” because the words “pet peeve”, when said together and translated, make no sense in most other languages.
It’s similar when you’re speaking to those you lead. We may think what we say is clear and maybe the words are, meaning they recognize them, but when it comes to the meaning, and really understanding what you’re saying or asking, it can get tricky. Nuance is lost when one is not fluent and sometimes we simply aren’t speaking their “language”. That is, the language they use based on their personality.
You have a personality, right? Maybe more than one? LOL. So do they. And speaking yours and theirs takes practice. Enter Emotional Intelligence and the need for leaders to:
1.
Identify the personality and language of those lead
2.
Start learning easy words and phrases that they’ll readily understand
3.
Practice adjusting your own language when around those who speak another
Sounds easy, right? You can learn hi, hello, and bathroom in just about any language, right? Sure. Now try to explain the nature of a difficult project with an important client, and subtly try to explain why that client matters so much without throwing them under the bus.
In a language that is not the one you’re used to using.
Go ahead. We’ll wait.
LOL
It takes practice and the language concept and speaking someone else’s, is connected to personalities. When you make adjustments to improve understanding, that’s called Emotional Intelligence. It’s a HUGE topic, and quite intricate, but these tools will make it MUCH easier and give you the framework from which to learn, start using words, and build into better mutual understanding.
Have you and the team taken the CORE Snapshot™?
Ready to get serious and evaluate real authentic preferences and traits? Try the comprehensive CORE Profile® and it’s accompanying coaching sessions on what to do with the information and how to adjust one’s behavior to the needs of others.
For a fun analogy and great video to share with others, join Mini-Monica making a visit out of country, in our Monday Moment series. Enjoy, and thank you for being a valued member of the Contagious Community!
