While it’s not new for business leaders to be multilingual, did you know that there are more benefits from speaking another language other than being able to speak it? I will be tackling how a second language can make you a better business leader.
Along with companies growing worldwide is the demand for a new type of leader. The needs of businesses are becoming more diverse now than ever. That is why we need business leaders that can bridge new gaps in this new world we are living in. But what type of leaders the new world needs to meet the demands of their global consumers, employees, and business partners? And, what does it take to qualify as one?
In this increasingly globalized world, we, therefore, need a global leader. And the best tool a global leader can use is language. So how can a second language help a global leader become great?
Develops Open-Mindedness
The ability to see things from a different perspective is crucial to be an effective business leader. Being open-minded means you can see another person’s point of view and not judge them for being right or wrong rather, whether it works or not. This way, you earn the trust and respect of your subordinates.
If you want to be an open-minded individual, learn a new language because not only can you boast you speak another language on your resume, but you can also immerse yourself in different cultural backgrounds. You can get to explore and understand beliefs that are different from yours.
Makes You a Better Listener
Listening is just as important as speaking, especially in doing business. When you are learning a new language, you are also practicing attentive listening. In learning a very foreign language, you are forced to shut your mouth, observe, and listen carefully.
Do you want to be a great leader? Then better learn the art of listening. By listening carefully to the other person speaking, you are showing a high level of engagement. Through this, you are building relationships and trust with other people.
Being a Bilingual Makes You Smarter
Learning or knowing a second language is more than just being labeled bilingual or multilingual. This makes you smarter because it improves how you think. And that is not even related to language or how fluent you speak it. How so? When a multilingual effortlessly switch between languages, he is showing how well-developed his executive function is. Executive function is a command system that manages the attention, focus, and memory vital in solving problems and making decisions. And these are all essential qualities of a business leader.
Enhances Global Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are far beyond bosses’ ability to speak many languages. Still, it enhances leadership skills by communicating and sending a message across to the employees with clarity and accuracy.
As for doing business with others, isn’t it impressive for a potential business partner if you can speak their language? This is an effort they will appreciate. Speaking another language is a demonstration of a leader’s willingness to cooperate with prospective international clients. ;
Learning a second language is truly a beneficial long-term investment for business leaders. Some of them even invest in extra courses like public speaking from programs for speech-language pathology to better their social communication and fluency.
Cross-Cultural Understanding
Learning another language is not only about learning new words and how to speak them. Language is a door to one’s culture. What better way to learn a culture than learning their language? You get to appreciate the perspective of other people. Now, what’s the relevance? When you immerse yourself in a different culture, you understand other people better. Then comes respect, and you become better at communicating with them. And once you know how to do it, you can empathize properly with them, making you a great leader once again.
Boosts Self-Confidence
This one is pretty much self-explanatory. When you speak the language of others, you are learning to trust your communication skills, which help boost your self-confidence, which is an essential quality of a business leader.
Language is more than just a tool for conversing with a wider range of people. It is also about knowing that when you are learning a new language, you are improving your mental acuity and cognitive skills, which rank among the critical soft skills that make a global business leader great.
So do you want to be a great business leader? Learn a new language. It’s an investment nobody can take away from you.
