@C AR E E R / COR P OR AT E ST R AT EGIES
4
Your
work
identity:
ing up with your ideas and questions
Directness can also mean that,
when you think of them. This also
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
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
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
Cultural characteristics can be hugely beneficial; too often Filipinos working
(nope, it doesn't feel good), I have
statements such as, "It might be a good idea
in America negate them. Instead, we focus on our `attributes' that showcase
also been thanked for bringing up
if..." or "What do you think of..." should be
our Western experience. Whereas our Caucasian counterparts would write,
points that were not otherwise made.
avoided! Just say it!
"Experience in American and Asian Business Culture" or "Knowledge of
If you get silenced, just confidently
Tagalog". So should you, you may find yourself as the Head of the depart-
say, "OK, I'll look into that," and be
Directness in tone and body
ment someday due to your `Worldly Experience' and `bi or multi-lingual'
PROUD of yourself for getting in the
language: Corporate culture requires that
status.
game!!
you stand or sit with your head elevated and
body straight but relaxed at the risk of
5
Research shows believe it or not- that Asians are usually hired because their
Timing: When do you
sounding corny you must stand proud. This
cultural characteristics are highly valued in business; such as the ability to
speak up? Do you speak up at all? It
seems minor, but it is huge. It is in our
control emotion and wait until `the time is right'. This is a common thread in
is not uncommon for cultures to
nature as humans to give respect to some-
many Asian/American cultures and is a highly valuable and respected trait in
perceive speaking up as a challenge
one who demands respect. When I say
American Corporations as well. The values of education and a strong work
to authority. Although American
"demand" I do not mean angry, I mean
ethic is also a boon for Corporate America. These invaluable traits coupled
Corporate culture is rife with hierar-
confident. On the same note, your tone of
with the communication tools described in this article will navigate you up the
chy, the notion of individual impor-
voice must be loud enough for everyone in
corporate ladder -faster. You do not have to give up any part of who you are
tance plays a large role in it and
the Board Room to hear you. This is a
or what you value. By learning the language of the "country" or "company"
values the person who speaks up!
common problem for people for whom Eng-
where you are, you become comfortable there and they become comfort-
This can seem contradictory when
lish is a Second Language. Speaking softly
able with you there! Find your personal success somewhere within, and use
your culture may dictate obedience
too softly especially is a certain obstacle to
the tools you need to achieve your dreams. It's not always easy, but you can
at all costs. But in American busi-
corporate success. Can you think of one
talk about the changes you had to make to get where you are around the
ness,
especially
in
these
hard
famous CEO who speaks softly? I can't not
pool with a smile and a raise!
economic times, companies are rely-
when it matters. The key to doing this is
ing more and more on their current
Leslie Zimmerman is an award winning communications guru with 15-years experience working in the tech
practice. Write down what you want to say
corporate world and has worked with all of the varied cultures that make up the world's technology market.
talent pool for insights, innovation
She has coached engineers, technical executives, and entrepreneurs to achieve their objectives. Zimmerman
and practice, practice, practice!
is a corporate speaker and author of the Guide to Corporate Success in America dedicated to helping people
and growth. You can be a bigger
achieve their career and personal goals by examining their communication patterns and making the changes
part of your organization by speak-
needed to achieve success. She has a Masters in Speech Communication is a member of the Association for
Conflict Resolution and our Business Communications Editor. Share your views
communicate@thePhilippinesMagazine.com.
19 SPRING 2011 / THEPHILIPPINESMAGAZINE.COM