How To Improve Communication Skills And Communicate Better With Your Virtual Assistants

Francis:

I think being in contact with other cultures also opens you up a lot and you learn a lot. And that’s an experience which is not to be paid with money.

So if you see “Oh, this is a misunderstanding.” Take it with a grain of humor, “Ooh, aren’t the Asians different from us? Ha-ha” – like that. 

And, perhaps, also explain to the other party “Okay, we had a misunderstanding. Our country when we do it like that, we mean it like that.”

Then, everyone can laugh and then she can learn or the cleaning person can learn and you can adapt. And then you get everyone, sort of, happy, I guess.

Stefan:

That’s the idea, at least. Now it worked out, let’s see what’s happening in the future, in real life. But this is also a very good example for what’s happening in outsourcing.

Basically, same stuffs happened actually. 

Francis:

Yeah. And so if your virtual assistant is knocking too silently on your door, for example, with the daily communication then you have to tell them. This is not impolite; I want it done.

I think the big issue with providers from Asia is that they don’t assess themselves with a lot of force like you would expect it from our culture. So they won’t hit on the table and say “Okay, now we’re doing this!” – like that.

They will be passive often, in general, if I make stereotypes here. They will be more passive and see what happens. And you have to adapt to that. You tell them what they think.

You tell them, for example, “Okay and know that if you don’t do your job or if you cannot do your job; you might feel unworthy or you might feel embarrassed. And it’s okay to feel embarrassed but please still write me. It’s worse if you don’t write me and feel embarrassed than if you write me and feel embarrassed.”

Try to get them at the position where they are at. You have to have a little bit of empathy when working with another human being especially from another culture.

That’s also part of your job if you are an employer. As much work as it does sound, that’s still also your responsibility.

Stefan:

That’s a responsibility of wealth as when you already have something out of this employee. On the beginning of a relationship, most of the time, you don’t have anything from that person at all. So why should you care?

Francis:

Because you want to have the results in the future. Therefore, you should care.

Stefan:

But he didn’t deliver any result yet.

Francis:

And he will not until you adapt you communication style.

Stefan:

Okay. 

Francis:

See, this is an investment in to the future. You cannot say I haven’t gotten anything so I will not invest. You have to trust that you will get something in the future and, therefore, you invest. 

I know this is a difficult subject.

Stefan:

This is difficult. Yeah, totally.