I could see the trolley approaching my seat number, the flight attendant leaned over and spoke to me in German, then English which made my brain compute and get confused. Pasta or Chicken? I responded in English chicken please.
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Shortly after, trailing behind was the drinks trolley, the 2nd flight attendant leaned over and this time, spoke to me in German, I automatically responded, Apfelsaft bitte! Throughout the flight, I responded in either English or German depending on how I was asked.
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Has this ever happened to you? When you travel and you speak the local language, automatically switch. At first, I felt disoriented, but quickly got into gear. It sort of became a game to pass the long flight.
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I’ve always been fascinated with languages, culture and love learning and working with clients from different backgrounds especially with creatives.
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When it comes to business, being an international coach has given me the opportunity to meet people from different places, cultures, and often different languages. Although English is always the main language used, whenever I can learn a few new words, I get all excited, create good energy, build great rapport, relationships, and have a lot more fun.
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However, I’m always aware of the factors to take into consideration.
- Cultural sensitivity & adaptability – this is essential to navigate these interactions by understanding and respecting different cultural norms and languages.
- Building authentic connections – genuine connections can make all the difference. Taking time to show interest in a client’s background and incorporating elements of their culture into your work fosters authenticity and trust. These connections not only enrich your business relationships but also pave the way for long-term success.
- Effective communication skills – this is a superpower. Fine tuning your non-verbal cues, every interaction is an opportunity to enhance your communication skills. Clear and empathetic communication lays the foundation for fruitful collaborations and satisfied clients.
- Seizing market opportunities – Understanding different cultures can be a game changer in expanding your business horizons. Tapping into diverse markets, can unlock untapped potential and propel ventures to new heights.
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