I was in Mexico with a client this week and had quite an interesting time. The meetings were very good, but it is interesting how what you learn in meetings doesn’t always leave the room with you.
Most of the people working in the hotel spoke enough English to communicate with “los Americanos.” But when someone in our group couldn’t make himself or herself understood, they blamed the hotel staff. Now granted, Americans always expect everyone to speak English. But that is not the lesson.
We “communicate” by saying what we need to say and expecting others to understand us. Clearly, that is a one way street, when it really needs to be two way. Part of the responsibility in communicating is doing it in such a way that others understand you. If they do not, no matter how clear you think you are, you are not communicating well enough.
As business owners we are responsible for setting the agenda in terms all ca understand. And we have the duty of making sure they do in fact understand. The burden is on us.
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