@C AR E E R / COR P OR AT E ST R AT EGIES
FROM HERE TO TH ERE
Your
work
identity:
ing up with your ideas and questions
Corporate Success in a New World
Directness can also mean that,
when you think of them. This also
by LESLIE ZIMMERMAN
unlike the centuries old value that
applies to your personal perfor-
puts the family and the group first,
mance on your job. Ask your boss
5 STEPS TO COMMUNICATION SUCCESS
you are a valuable individual who is
what he or she is specifically looking
1
willing to make decisions and put
for in your job performance (as a
Eye contact is not seen as a
them forward on the merit of your
matter of fact, walk into their office
positive behavior in many cultures ­it is
opinion. This feels like a big risk to
with a cup of coffee the way they
sometimes considered confrontational and
many people, but even if your idea
like, take a seat, and smile when you
aggressive. NOT the case in corporate
meets a luke warm response, your
ask!). You might be surprised that
America! Eye contact is how to show that you
willingness to step out on a limb will
they are thrilled that you have taken
are listening and that when you are speak-
be noticed and seen in a positive
the initiative. Make it clear to your
ing to someone ­ boss, subordinate, or
light in this culture. Note: Make sure
boss that you are seeking advance-
equal, that what you are saying is important,
you have thought through your idea
ment. If you wait, you may be report-
or in other words, that you are important.
and have numbers to back it up! The
ing to your boss's sorority sister or
2
fear here is that no one wants to look
fraternity brother next year who
Directness in speech in the
stupid or "lose face" ­ especially in a
doesn't have half of your experience,
corporate language of America is a sign of
meeting. But I promise you, for every
but they asked for the job ­you
intelligence, a sign that you have thought
time I was silenced in a meeting after
didn't!
through a matter and have a statement to
stating a point in front of everyone
make about it. Tag questions and qualifying
In America today, it's not enough to have a good education and
(nope, it doesn't feel good), I have
statements such as, "It might be a good idea
good job to secure a long lasting and successful corporate career.
also been thanked for bringing up
if..." or "What do you think of..." should be
Jobs are no longer secure and the opportunities to advance are
points that were not otherwise made.
avoided! Just say it!
reserved for relatives and members of the `inner circles' of CEOs
If you get silenced, just confidently
and long time Vice Presidents.
3
say, "OK, I'll look into that," and be
Directness in tone and body
PROUD of yourself for getting in the
language: Corporate culture requires that
A good leader has three major goals: unify the team, implement
game!!
you stand or sit with your head elevated and
innovation (change), and to inspire the team beyond the status quo.
body straight but relaxed ­ at the risk of
Timing: When do you
sounding corny ­ you must stand proud. This
To achieve these goals VPs need people they understand, who
speak up? Do you speak up at all? It
seems minor, but it is huge. It is in our
understand them, who speak their language and understand what is
is not uncommon for cultures to
nature as humans to give respect to some-
expected of them with minimal explanation. For example, a CEO
perceive speaking up as a challenge
one who demands respect. When I say
who needs you to represent them in a meeting or negotiation will
to authority. Although American
"demand" I do not mean angry, I mean
expect you to clearly and assertively put forth his or her agenda.
Corporate culture is rife with hierar-
confident. On the same note, your tone of
You would never hire a Swedish speaking guide to help you
chy, the notion of individual impor-
voice must be loud enough for everyone in
navigate through Spain. "But wait Leslie, you're saying that I have
tance plays a large role in it and
the Board Room to hear you. This is a
to change the way I am ­ who I am?" Not really. I'm saying that if
values the person who speaks up!
common problem for people for whom Eng-
you want to have a nice trip through Spain, you need a map and you
This can seem contradictory when
lish is a Second Language. Speaking softly ­
need a basic grasp of the language. It's the same thing in corporate
your culture may dictate obedience
too softly especially ­ is a certain obstacle to
America and Canada.
at all costs. But in American busi-
corporate success. Can you think of one
ness,
especially
in
these
hard
famous CEO who speaks softly? I can't ­ not
You are who you are. Why not grow? Why not pad that resume or
economic times, companies are rely-
when it matters. The key to doing this is
bump-up your dossier. Ask yourself these 5 questions: Have you
ing more and more on their current
practice. Write down what you want to say
examined your communication patterns lately? Are you direct? Are
talent pool for insights, innovation
and practice, practice, practice!
you passive? Are you being sought out for advice and assignments
and growth. You can be a bigger
beyond what you are doing now? Do you know how you are
part of your organization by speak-
perceived in your office?
THEPHILIPPINESMAGAZINE.COM
/
SPRING 2011 18

---