Learning Perspective-Taking in Conversation

I know that for some of you this might sound a bit strange—perhaps even controversial.

Personally, I try to consume news media from the opposite side of the current political administration. For example, during the presidency of Joe Biden, I regularly followed Fox News and the New York Post. Now, with Donald Trump in office, I check CNN and The New York Times.

The idea is simple: if you regularly expose yourself to perspectives you don’t typically share, it doesn’t mean you have to adopt those views. But it does make it easier to understand—and sometimes empathize with—people who hold different opinions.

What does this have to do with the workplace?

Quite a lot. Many of our colleagues and clients come from different political, cultural, or religious backgrounds. But the same principle also applies professionally.

If you work in one field, you might deliberately read publications intended for professionals in a different area—for example, from another department in your company. Over time, you start to learn their vocabulary, their priorities, and how they interpret what is happening inside the organization.

And that can make conversations much easier.

What do you think?

---

Want to overcome insecurity and frustration with the foreign language(s) you’ve already started learning? Or maybe you want to learn a new language without going through endless standard course levels — but feel like you’re not making progress?

Grab a copy of my book: “The GO Method – Breaking Barriers to Language Learning” on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/GO-Method-Breaking-barriers-language/dp/1973118688

đź’ˇ Free Preview: Get the first two chapters for free by subscribing to my weekly newsletter, packed with tips and resources on communication psychology in international, multicultural, and multilingual contexts.
Click here to subscribe

--

Communication Psychology and HR: in small and practical lessons once a week.

With a focus on international and multilingual business conversations.

Gerhard Ohrband is a psychologist from Hamburg/Germany, specialized in Communication Psychology and HR. He consults individuals and companies worldwide (in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian and Russian) on how to avoid costly misunderstandings and handle conflicts with employees and clients.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can Conflicts Be Productive?

Image
 We often hear that conflict is inherently negative—but is that always true? Should we avoid conflicts at all costs, or can they be catalysts for innovation, clarity, and growth? In a TED Talk, Margaret Heffernan argues that conflict—particularly when paired with rigorous debate—sharpens thinking and leads to better outcomes. She recounts how epidemiologist Alice Stewart discovered a link between prenatal X-rays and childhood cancer, and was strengthened in her conviction by collaborator George Kneale, who relentlessly tried to disprove her findings—and couldn’t. Types of Workplace Conflict Research categorizes conflicts into three main types: 1.      Personal Conflict This involves interpersonal issues—clashes of personality, style, or emotional friction. It's often linked to hostility, dissatisfaction, and lower group cohesion 2.      Task Conflict This arises from disagreements over the content of tasks—opinions, ideas, goals, ...
Read more

What does good communication really mean?

There are of course lots of definitions of communication. There are lots of definitions of what good communication should be. Let me add one which is probably not very original.  It is inspired by classical economic literature, by the nature of exchanges. I like to see communication like an exchange of goods and services, a voluntary exchange like in barter or in selling and buying. According to classical economic authors, such an exchange occurs if there is a double coincidence of wants, if what I am giving, what I am offering, a good or a service, is for me less valuable than the thing I want to obtain from the other person. And for the other person it's the other way around. The thing they are giving me is less valuable than the good or service I am offering them. Therefore, by definition, after the exchange everybody is better off. If there's no double coincidence of wants then we don't enter into this exchange. We wait for somebody or something else. If we appl...
Read more

What is the use of a language teacher?

Especially in times of AI and apparently limitless free language learning resources, you may ask: What is the use of a language teacher? Every language teacher or instructor has an individual self-image. Many see themselves as administrating textbooks and dishing out exercises. Or as explainers. Personally, I view myself as a coach. What are the implications? In professional sports, no matter how good you are, you will always employ a personal or group coach. A coach fulfills many vital functions: -       Giving regular expert feedback on your performance, -       Helping you overcome psychological blocks, -       Pushing you constantly harder and out of your comfort zone. This is how I view the role of language instruction. However, for most language learners, especially beginners, the language teacher is more like a midwife. You employ the teacher to overcome initial difficulties, to pass a ...
Read more