Kill Your Ethnocentrism

Language is interesting. If someone else doesn’t understand your language as well as you do, you automatically think they’re stupider than you.

You’re wrong.

In fact, they know two languages, while you’re in the relative comfort of your native language. But here’s the thing: you can’t escape this ethnocentrism trap easily, and just identifying it won’t free you from it. You have to actively work on it — spotting micro-ethnocentrism and eliminating it from your thought patterns and behavior. This is the everyday grind (it never ends). Let’s dive into it.

1. Spotting Micro-Ethnocentrism

You need to look deep inside your interactions with others. The subtle way you dismiss someone because they struggle to find the right word, or when you roll your eyes at a heavy accent. That’s micro-ethnocentrism creeping in, and it happens every day. These are the moments you need to catch yourself in. You’ve got to break out of that mindset. You’re not simplifying for them because they’re dumb — you’re simplifying because language is messy. Real talk: they’re mentally juggling two (or more) languages while you’re just vibing in English (or whatever your native language is).

2. Overcommunicate Without Being Condescending

Here’s the thing about communication: we suck at it. Everyone does, especially when we assume that others understand us the first time. You have to overcommunicate — but don’t be an ass about it. Repetition is your friend, but condescension? Nah, leave that out. Assume right now that people will misinterpret you, and you’ll save everyone a lot of time. It’s not about dumbing things down, it’s about clarifying and reframing. You’re trying to get to the truth of what you’re saying. Imagine translating in real-time in your head. Things get messy. When you speak clearly and say it again (and again), you make it easier for them to process what you’re saying. And guess what? They’re going to be doing the same thing for you in return, because they really want to understand you. It’s about mutual respect. ??

3. Respect the Language Battle

If you expect someone to work in a language that isn’t their native tongue, cut them some slack. Give them the space to ask for clarification without making them feel like an idiot. Here’s what you might not realize: they’re working overtime in their head. It’s mental gymnastics. You’re processing in your comfy, cozy mother tongue, but they’re translating, reconstructing, and making sure their response makes sense. Walk into a meeting in French with a bunch of native speakers and try to answer a complex technical question. You’d be sweating bullets. That’s the mental load your colleagues face every damn day. So, apply some empathy. It’s not just about the language, it’s about creating a comfortable environment where people don’t feel like they’re one bad sentence away from being dismissed.

4. Genuinely Give a Damn

Look, don’t just tolerate the person from another country. Actually give a damn. Get curious. Maybe learn a few phrases in their language — not to show off, but to connect. And no, you don’t need to go overboard and start throwing cultural buzzwords around. That’s cringe. Just be real. When I started working with teams in Pakistan, India, Bosnia, and the Philippines, I made a point to understand their work culture, their communication styles. I’m not pretending like I’m now fully infused in their culture (I have seen people do that and it pains me to the very depths of my soul) but I’m genuinely interested. When you do that, it creates an actual human connection.

5. Kill Your Assumptions

We’re all guilty of it — assuming someone’s intelligence or ability based on how well they speak your language. But here’s the deal: language isn’t a measure of skill. I’ve worked with people whose English is shaky at best, but they’ve solved problems that would stump so-called “native speakers.” Stop with the assumptions. Let their work speak for itself before you judge their brainpower. Once you stop making those snap judgments, you open the door to some serious collaboration. ??

6. Recognize Your Privilege

If you’re reading this in your native English, you’re privileged. Period. The global workforce operates in your language, and you barely have to think about how you communicate. Meanwhile, your international colleagues are busting their asses just to meet you halfway. Think about how lucky you are to be in that position and act accordingly. Explain more. Speak clearly. Go out of your way to ensure that the communication bridge doesn’t collapse under assumptions and rushed conversations.

Takeaways

Language isn’t just words — it’s how we connect, how we collaborate. When you allow ethnocentrism to dictate your communication, you’re missing the point. Kill it. You need to learn how to slow down, how to be clear without being condescending, and how to meet people where they are, not where you expect them to be. If you’re asking people to operate in your language, the least you can do is help them do it better. The world is bigger than your language, and once you stop assuming everyone should just fit into your box, you’ll find that the doors to understanding and collaboration open up in ways you never expected.

So, kill your ethnocentrism — and watch the world start speaking to you in ways you’ve never heard before.