Voices of Diversity: Embracing Accents in the Workplace with Heather Hansen

Heather Hansen, founder of the Global Speech Academy, discusses the issue of accent bias in the workplace and the importance of effective communication in a globalized world. She challenges the notion of "good" and "bad" English, emphasizing that successful communication is about getting the message across, regardless of accent. Heather highlights the need for leaders to understand and address accent bias, as well as the cultural differences that impact communication. She also emphasizes the importance of listening and valuing diverse perspectives. Overall, Heather advocates for a shift in mindset and a more inclusive approach to communication.

Key Takeaways

1. Accent bias exists in the workplace and can hinder effective communication.
2. Communication is not a skills problem but involves cultural intelligence and active listening.
3. Non-native English speakers face challenges in a global economy dominated by English speakers.
4. Organizations need to create a culture of acceptance and understanding for diverse communication styles.
5. Accent bias is not limited to non-native speakers and can affect individuals with regional accents within the same country.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet Heather Hansen
01:06 Exploring Global Speech Academy's Communication Training
01:54 Rethinking "Bad" English and Accent Bias
03:35 Unveiling Accent Bias in the Workplace
04:22 Diverse Language Experiences: A Personal Journey
06:11 The Realities of Written Accents and Language Prejudices
07:31 Tackling Language Bias in Organizations
08:11 The Role of Accents in Categorization and Discrimination
09:17 Beyond Non-Native Speakers: Accent Bias Affects Everyone
10:25 Beyond Skills Training: Enacting Real Communication Change
10:47 The Overemphasis on Presentation Skills in Communication
11:17 The Pillars of Communication: Culture, Listening, Connection
11:42 Overcoming Communication Barriers: Confidence and Fear of Failure
12:10 Communication: More Than Just Skills
12:26 Questioning Western Communication and Leadership Norms
13:35 Embracing Diverse Communication Styles
15:06 Adapting Speech in Global Contexts
16:15 Navigating the Complexities of Phrasal Verbs
17:19 Confronting Western Bias Against Non-Native English Speakers
18:07 Leadership's Role in Bridging Communication Gaps
19:00 Closing Thoughts

Featured Guest

Name: Heather Hansen

Bio: Heather helps multinational companies enhance collaboration, innovation and inclusion
across their global teams through greater understanding and stronger, more efficient
communication policies. She focuses on fostering unmuted communication cultures where
every voice is heard, resulting in greater inclusion, innovation and efficiency across remote
and global teams.
Along with private leadership communication coaching, Heather facilitates group training
courses and consults on a number of topics related to global communication. Heather is also
an External Industry Expert for NUS Business School’s Executive Education programs
where she runs modules on communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.

Rela