In both the workplace and the world, we often find ourselves speaking different languages—literally or metaphorically—which can create frustration and isolation. When we aren’t understood, it’s easy to assume incompetence or bad intent, when in reality, the root issue is often miscommunication.
Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to work with a client where almost everyone is bilingual. While technically the language of the office is English, a great deal of casual and professional conversation is conducted in Spanish. I have always considered my Spanish “passable.” When asked if I was “fluent,” my answer has always been, “Drop me off in a Spanish-speaking country, and I should be able to make my way home." After six months of working in a bilingual office, I am now considerably much more confident in my ability to conduct a conversation in Spanish.
While my Spanish improved, I learned so much more than language skills. We so often make instant, unfair judgements about the value of teammates, expect everyone to speak clearly and confidently, and run into language traps because of slang and jargon that is not intuitively understandable. Allow me to offer some of these lessons learned in the hopes that you can avoid these miscommunication maladies moving forward.
Lesson 1: Judge less; listen more
The whole experience was incredibly impactful and made me reflect daily on the power of shared language. As we navigate the world, we constantly make judgments about our environment and the people around us. This is certainly an evolutionary holdover: we judge quickly to determine if elements in our surroundings pose threats. During this experience, I observed how expressed language plays a crucial role in our modern "threat assessments." Those who don't immediately and eloquently express their thoughts and ideas are often categorized as less valuable. This is undoubtedly unfair, even when we share a common language. In the case of this client, a language barrier was often at play. So how then can we judge the smartest in the room? Perhaps that's the wrong question. Maybe we should ask: should we judge so quickly?
By intentionally placing our rapid judge-o-meter on a slower setting, we can first seek to understand rather than be understood. During one meeting, a team member hesitated before contributing an idea, clearly searching for the right words. Rather than moving on, we paused and gave them time, leading to a valuable discussion that might have otherwise been missed. By practicing active listening, asking clarifying questions, and slowing down the pace with which we move through our day, we can create an environment that is far more inclusive. If the past decade has taught us anything, it is that an inclusive space is always a more thoughtful, comprehensive and, ultimately, powerful space.
TL/DR:
Snap judgments about others' contributions, based on surface impressions, can prevent us from recognizing their true value.
Slowing down and practicing active listening fosters inclusivity and ensures valuable ideas are not missed.
Lesson 2: Silent struggles take up a lot of space
In that same understanding vein, the experience has given me so much empathy for people operating in an English-speaking world for whom English is not their first acquired language. Our huge world is becoming smaller every day. We are more and more members of a global community in which there is an opportunity for rich discourse and exchange of culture, ideas, and language. The chances of encountering someone who speaks more than one language are high, and a lot of times we make assumptions about their abilities or intentions based on how they communicate in a shared language.
What we don’t always see are the silent struggles beneath the surface—those moments when someone hesitates because they’re searching for the right word, or when they choose to stay quiet in a meeting because they’re unsure how to express a complex thought in their non-native language. These struggles can lead to missed opportunities, both for the individual and the team. The quiet battles people face with language can take up immense mental energy, making it harder for them to fully engage or showcase their true expertise.
The emotional and cognitive load of translating thoughts from one language to another is often invisible, but it's there, occupying space that could otherwise be used for creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. What’s worse, when these struggles go unnoticed or unaddressed, they can lead to feelings of inadequacy or isolation, causing some team members to withdraw or disengage altogether. For teams that thrive on open dialogue and innovation, this is a significant loss. Recognizing these silent struggles is the first step. Offering empathy and creating a culture that encourages dialogue, regardless of language proficiency, can open doors to more meaningful interactions. Something as simple as allowing extra time for responses or encouraging a pause to gather thoughts can make a huge difference.
TL/DR:
Language barriers can cause hesitation, missed opportunities, and mental strain, often going unnoticed but affecting both individual and team performance.
Offering empathy and extra time for responses creates a more supportive and collaborative environment.
Lesson 3: Shared language does not ensure shared understanding
Even when we share a language, true understanding can be elusive. Words are shaped by our personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and emotional states—all of which color how we interpret and convey meaning. In a workplace setting, two people might use identical terms yet walk away with entirely different interpretations of a conversation. Shared language creates an illusion of mutual comprehension, but it doesn't guarantee we're fully grasping each other's perspectives.
During my time with a bilingual team, I realized that even in conversations conducted entirely in Spanish or English, misunderstandings still occurred. Sometimes these were due to cultural differences, other times because of assumptions about certain words or phrases. This taught me that real understanding transcends the words we speak; it requires active listening, asking clarifying questions, and making space for diverse interpretations. Only then can we move beyond simply speaking the same language to truly communicating and connecting. Additionally, many workplaces have two languages always in play: IT speak and business jargon. While there is greater and greater emphasis being placed on the power of bringing these two worlds together, in many organizations, the divide between IT and business teams can be just as wide as a language barrier. I’ve seen projects stumble because both sides used familiar terms, but interpreted them differently. By applying the same patience and empathy we use in a bilingual setting, we can bridge these internal divides as well. The practices employed in a bilingual office can easily be applied to misunderstanding between the worlds within an organization.
TL/DR:
Common language doesn’t guarantee mutual comprehension; words are influenced by personal and cultural experiences.
Active listening and clarifying questions are essential to bridge gaps, especially between different organizational "languages" like IT and business jargon.
Bridging the gap: Creating a space for understanding
Ultimately, this experience taught me that the key to bridging communication gaps is creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves, even if they aren't perfectly fluent in the language of the workplace. Empathy, patience, and active listening are critical to overcoming language barriers, whether those barriers are literal or figurative. By approaching every interaction with the intent to understand rather than judge, we create a more inclusive and collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives. In the end, shared language is important, but shared understanding is even more vital.
As our world becomes more interconnected, the ability to bridge communication gaps will only become more crucial. The workplaces of tomorrow will thrive on diversity, not just of language but of thought and experience. By fostering a culture of empathy and openness today, we’re preparing ourselves to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Ask yourself: How often do I assume misunderstanding is due to incompetence, rather than a gap in communication? Next time, slow down, listen more carefully, and create the space for real understanding. Your team, and the people around you, will be better for it.
