One of the things I love about being an American is the wonderful
diversity that greets me each time I step out the door. Rarely
does a day go by without my encountering people who have backgrounds
very different from my own. Because America is the land of
opportunity and draws people from around the world, it's almost
like getting a free trip to exotic locales without all those
tedious hours squirming in airline seats designed for Lilliputians.
Although this does pose the occasional problem with communication
when they're from another country and English isn't their
native language, we're usually able to work things out and
understand each other. I figure it's a small tradeoff to interact
with folks from lands that I may never visit.
However, when confronted with an individual who may still
be struggling with English, some people become frustrated
or even hostile. They're offended that this person hasn't
mastered our native language yet. As you might expect, many
of these situations end without much useful communication.
Furthermore, it's not uncommon to see people storm off and
mutter something about how stupid this person is because he
can't speak flawless English.
Being among the linguistically challenged I speak only one
language, something that I find a bit embarrassing when surrounded
by friends from around the world who grew up speaking two,
three or sometimes even a dozen. I've theorized that there
must be some sort of international remedial program for the
slow of speech and they just assume I'm one of the less ambitious
students.
Nonetheless, they're patient with my shortcomings, and we
manage to have fun just the same. No matter how broken their
English may be, my perspective is that if they're multilingual
to any competent degree, they're smarter than I am. More importantly, this doesn't apply to just linguistics.
Because I don't assume that people who are different are somehow
inferior, it opens up a world of opportunity for me to make
new friends, increase my knowledge and build strong alliances
in my work. These are all incredibly powerful benefits for
any of us to have in life, and they come at a very reasonable
price. All you have to do is eliminate your assumptions about
people and treat them with the same courtesy and respect that
you'd offer anyone you consider important.
This applies to much more than international encounters. Our
assumptions are very much alive even within the strata of
our own culture. I've stood in line at my local taco joint
and watched with amazement as customers treated the minimum
wage people taking their orders as though they were ignorant
and insignificant creatures. And although these workers do
their job nonetheless, you can be sure that the food and service
offered to the rude is nothing beyond the bare minimum required.
Consequently, I've never quite understood the benefit of a
condescending attitude.
I prefer a different approach. I make an effort to treat each
person I encounter with respect and a smile, perhaps even
engaging in a bit of light hearted banter as they work. In
short, I treat them as though they were important and deserving
of my respect. And how do I know they're not? Having many
friends who are in college, for all I know the person serving
my taco is currently studying nuclear physics. Not only do
I have a fun conversation, but you can bet that the tacos
I get are first rate. Whoever said that fast food isn't rocket
science just didn't know the right people.
America rocks, in no small part because of the incredible
variety of our society. Here's an experiment. Start treating
every person you meet as though they were important, and see
what kind of response you get. Tapping into that diversity
will bring countless good things into your life. Who knows,
you might even get a decent taco in the bargain.
Christopher Duncan is the best selling author of Unite
the Tribes and The Career Programmer. In addition to his seminars,
he's a popular speaker and frequent guest on radio shows across
the country. He's currently working to improve companies and
careers nationwide through his work with the Campaign for
American Excellence. To contact Christopher, visit http://www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
