Joyce Talag is a life coach for leaders and the owner of Joyful Transformations LLC.
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Regardless of whether English is your first language or not, have others ever made you wonder whether your speech sounds good enough?
Accentism is real. People throughout the world have been stereotyped for how they sound. In the U.K., research has found that one in four senior managers ages 35 to 44 reported being mocked, criticized and singled out for their accents. I have seen managers who rated their reports low on communication because of their “English skills.”
Certain industries even cater to promoting language-based discrimination. There are executive presence training programs that include accent work, which is either about neutralizing or mastering accents.
You might be really competent as a leader or a subject matter expert. However, if comments about how you sound are chipping away at your confidence, you do not have to let them stop you. Here are tips that will empower you to continue sharing your best ideas:
Call it out.
The first tip is to just call it out. In 2021, a New York-based HR consultancy investigated alleged accent discrimination at an unnamed global nonprofit. The results of the investigation confirmed the bias and resulted in actions being taken to address the issue from an HR standpoint.
Prime your audience.
Priming your audience is like retraining their perceptions. In settings where your expert opinion counts, you can begin your speech with an introduction that highlights your background so people will focus on that instead of your accent.
Find alternatives.
There are times when you feel that you could have explained your views better. If that big speech at an all-hands meeting did not work for you, look for—or better yet, create—another opportunity where you can more effectively communicate.
When I coach leaders about presence and influence, I ask them to identify who their real audience is and what is the best way to get their attention. Sometimes a big meeting may not be the best use of time and energy to advocate ideas. A more comfortable one-on-one with a leader or a concise email may just do the trick.
Check your own bias.
I grew up in the Philippines, where English is the primary language of instruction. Certain accents are associated with elite schools, which somewhat influences perceptions during job interviews and performance appraisals.
Meanwhile, a study my good friend conducted among learners of English as a second language revealed that people tend to see their own English as less competent, attractive, prestigious and educated than that of their counterparts who speak American English.
If you find yourself in this mindset, then you might just be your own barrier.
Own your story.
Biases are often shaped by unchecked perceptions. While there may be times when you really need to improve your communication skills, you might be also feeding these biases when you adjust to unfair expectations. (In fact, even the terms “native” and “non-native” speakers are controversial.) Owning your story means embracing your authentic self, including how you sound.
In today’s world where diversity is seen as a driver of innovation and competitiveness, accents could indicate a wealth of knowledge in an organization. However, this potential is not realized when bias exists. Leaders can address this issue structurally by reviewing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging policies and implementing language awareness initiatives.
As for you, speak up. Your accent might just be your best leverage.
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