One of the unsaid skills now are working globally. It is no longer an option, or an added extra skill, it is an expected accomplishment. Global working doesn’t just mean speaking an additional language, or being able to travel, it means being flexible with your timings to speak to colleagues in different regions, being able to understand where they come from, being able to accept and promote new ideas that colleagues in other countries have shared.
My children speak only English as both me and my husband speak a different second language and therefore we didn’t want to confuse the children, and it was just easier to speak English. In a way, small regrets, but we have noticed that when we call other relatives, the children will always greet in the relevant second language and are happy when they do so! We can see that these small acts make our relatives so happy that they are trying, listening and our children are nodding towards a language they don’t understand but they love this connection.
During this pandemic, it has been difficult to do business travel, especially for those starting out in their career and therefore they are not seeing the context of those other cultures. Technology is the simple key to make this easier, relating to others in another country, spending time talking to them and ensuring names are pronounced correctly are so valuable. Global working just starts with great communication, listening and willingness to learn.
Skills Repeat 