This post was written by Jay Prewitt, Director of Coaching and Facilitation at The Latimer Group.
I was at a post-rehearsal sushi dinner with my friend Ayur, who sings bass with me in a choral ensemble. Ayur is ethnically Mongolian, speaks Russian, Buryat, and Korean, and has been living in the United States for a year and a half. During dinner, he asked me why everyone in the chorale knew “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” as a warm-up song, especially since it’s an African American spiritual and only two of us in the group are Black. I casually explained that it’s a commonly known song in the U.S., like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” But his blank stare told me right away that I had failed to bridge the cultural gap. Neither of those songs were familiar to him, growing up in Siberia. What I thought would be a simple explanation suddenly got more complicated.
Moments like these remind me how tricky communication can be when you don’t consider your audience’s background. My off-the-cuff response, based on what I assumed was shared knowledge, only created more confusion. What seemed like a straightforward question quickly became a deeper conversation about history, the Black experience, and cultural norms. I realized I needed to be more thoughtful in my next response, making sure I didn’t veer into a tangent that would confuse him even more.
Hanging out with Ayur keeps me on my toes and reminds me to practice what I preach. I often emphasize the importance of understanding your audience and adapting your language and message accordingly, especially in multicultural settings. Being his friend has taught me that there’s always room for growth, and it’s a good reminder not to take for granted what I assume is common knowledge. It’s made me reflect on whether I’ve missed the mark in past conversations, inadvertently isolating someone with a quick response.
At the same time, these moments are a joyful exercise in cultural exchange. They give me a chance to appreciate the unique perspectives that we all bring to the table. Translation becomes more than just finding the right words—it’s about connecting across differences and celebrating what makes us each unique.
In today’s world, we often find ourselves communicating in international contexts without even realizing it. To be an effective, persuasive communicator, it’s important to understand who’s in your audience and anticipate any cultural gaps that could obscure your message. Take the time to research and consider your audience in advance, but also stay mindful in the moment. This practice not only helps you stay on message but also builds bridges with those you’re trying to reach.
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Does your team:
– Overwhelm the audience with too much detail?
– Make things too complicated?
– Fail to ask for what they want or need?
Does your organization:
– Waste time because of poor internal communication?
– Take too long to make decisions?
– Struggle to clarify and frame discussions?
Do your leaders:
– Exhibit poor executive presence?
– Lean on incomplete communication skills?
– Fail to align the organization?
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