To Lead Learn English, Chinese, or Whatever You Need, but Learn With a Purpose

A few months ago I read this nice article on wired magazine. It dealt with English as a second language (like it is for me), and how it could evolve. The article brought me to the following reflection: I’ve been writing this blog for sometime now, and I may have adapted English to “my English”. I’m not saying I’ve invented a new language, I’m saying I’m placing my personal touch to this language. Of course, I try to learn as much as possible to be as correct as I can expressing things, and hopefully not like the examples in the article I pointed you to.

My first language is Spanish, so most of the time I think in Spanish, but when I’m writing an article I try to write it in English. Because it forces me to build phrases in the “space” I’m expressing into, and not in another language (Spanish) and after that translating (adapting) them to English. 

Why do I use English? So simple, because it’s Global, because If you’re in Shangai, London, Oslo, Berlin, Los Angeles (Chile), Los Angeles (CA,USA) or wherever you are, chances are a lot of people in those cities (and countries) read English. Probably, English is your second language too, and that’s so wonderful because we’re borrowing others’ language to our benefit, to communicate. Isn’t that powerful? I think it is. 

For the most part, my english is strongly related to “Hollywood English”, almost all the English I hear is from US movies and CNN International, so my ear is trained to hear and understand that English, the same with books.  I live in Santiago, and of course, we only speak Spanish. So my English practice is reading books, watching cable TV, and hearing audiobooks (something I strongly recommend to improve your ear on English).  As you can see, the weakiest link in the chain is the spoken part, but anytime a guy from US, UK or any english speaking country comes to the office I practice my speaking skills.  

I’m telling you this because I encourage you to learn something, with a purpose. Learning English has been a life long endeavour, and it will be. It has opened me the doors to the latest ideas many fields, It has helped me to talk with people otherwise I could never, ever have talked to.

Words express feelings, emotions, and visions. If you can pick the right words you can move the world. Every great leader knows that. You can not afford, not to learn your own language in the best possible way. And in today’s world, the world’s language is English. Do you want to be a Leader? The become one, learn English, learn chinese, learn whatever you need to get to the people you want to lead. Learn whatever you need to find yourself and lead from within. 

Remember, leaders have to communicate, leaders have to motivate, leaders have to reach the hearts and souls of their followers, and that my friends is with the words.

Be Alert, Be A Leader

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