Don’t Take It Fourth Granted

Shehzaad Shams
Jun 20
5 min read

Let’s play a quick game. Name three things you do every day, so naturally that you barely notice them. Breathing? Eating? Sleeping? Spot on. But there’s a fourth, sneakier habit we all share—one so close to us that it slips under the radar: language. The words we use, the stories we tell, the way we make sense of the world. It’s the silent engine humming under the bonnet of our lives, and yet, we take it “fourth granted.”

Don’t Take It Fourth Granted - Eclectic Leadership - Shehzaad Shams

The Invisible Essentials

We’re born breathing, eating, sleeping. Over time, we get lazy—shallow breaths, fast food, late nights. It’s only when the doctor, the wellness guru, or the podcast host tells us to pay attention that we start to notice. “Breathe deeply!” “Eat mindfully!” “Get your eight hours!” Suddenly, we’re buying fancy water bottles and sleep trackers.

But language? It’s there before we can walk, before we can tie our shoelaces. It’s the tool we use to connect, to learn, to lead. And yet, it rarely gets its moment in the self-help spotlight. There’s no bestselling book called “The Life-Changing Magic of Talking”—but perhaps there should be.

The Power of Language: More Than Words

Let’s get a little nerdy. According to the British Council, over 1.5 billion people are learning English worldwide—nearly 20% of the planet. Here in the UK, the language industry is worth over £1.6 billion a year. Yet, most of us—especially native speakers—barely stop to think about what language really means, or how it shapes our lives.

A European Commission study found that multilingual employees are 20% more likely to be promoted into leadership roles. Why? Because language isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary. It’s about empathy, cultural awareness, and the ability to connect across divides. In our globalised world, these skills are pure gold.

The Native Speaker Trap

Here’s a funny thing: being a native speaker doesn’t automatically make you a great teacher, communicator, or leader. That’s like assuming someone who’s been breathing all their life is automatically a yoga instructor. Ridiculous, right?

Native speakers often take their language for granted. They don’t think about the mechanics, the nuances, the cultural baggage that comes with every word. They might not even notice when they’re using idioms or slang that leave non-native speakers baffled. And when it comes to teaching or coaching, that’s a problem.

The Cultural Chasm

Imagine a leadership coach from London working with a team in Tokyo. They speak English fluently, but their cultural references, metaphors, and even their sense of humour might fall flat. The coach might talk about “hitting the ground running” or “thinking outside the box”, and the team just nods politely, none the wiser.

This isn’t just awkward—it’s a missed opportunity. Language is the bridge between cultures, but it can also be a barrier. If we don’t pay attention, we end up talking past each other.

Leadership Through Languages: The Way Forward

There’s a growing recognition that leadership isn’t just about technical know-how or charisma. It’s about communication—the ability to inspire, unite, and encourage people from all walks of life. And that starts with language.

Eclectic Leadership: A Recipe for Success

Think of leadership like a recipe. You need a bit of psychology, a dash of political science, a sprinkle of cultural awareness, and—a big helping of language skills. This is what’s called Eclectic Leadership: drawing from different disciplines, mixing and matching ideas, and creating something that works for today’s complex, multicultural world.

Just as you wouldn’t make a cake with only flour, you can’t build a leader with only one skillset. Language is the yeast that makes the whole thing rise.

Training the Trainers: The Missing Link

Here’s the kicker: trainers and coaches themselves need to be aware of the power of language. It’s not enough to be an expert in business or psychology. Understanding language—not just as a tool, but as a living, breathing part of culture—is crucial. It’s about knowing how to bridge gaps, read between the lines, and adapt messages for different audiences.

With the right training, even those who specialise in language can bring a fresh perspective to leadership development. They can help leaders navigate the tricky waters of cross-cultural communication, avoid misunderstandings, and build stronger, more inclusive teams.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, 44% of business leaders say that misunderstandings caused by poor communication have led to financial losses. In multinational companies, the figure is even higher. That’s billions of pounds down the drain—all because language was taken for granted.

Certifying the Future: A New Framework

So, what’s the solution? There’s a growing call for a new framework for training and certifying coaches, trainers, and leaders—one that puts language at the heart of leadership. One that recognises the power of words to inspire, to unite, to drive change.

Imagine a world where every leadership course includes modules on language awareness, cultural competence, and cross-cultural communication. Where trainers are certified not just in coaching techniques, but in the art of language itself. Where organisations invest in language training as a core part of leadership development.

It’s not a pipe dream. It’s the next logical step.

The Power of Words: Unlocking Your Rise to Power

Think about the leaders you admire. What sets them apart? Is it their technical skills? Their qualifications? Or is it something more intangible—their ability to connect, to inspire, to make you feel seen and heard?

Chances are, it’s the latter. Great leaders are great communicators. They know how to choose the right words, how to listen, how to adapt their message for different audiences. They understand that language isn’t just a tool—it’s a superpower.

The Science: How Language Shapes Thought

There’s a famous theory in linguistics called the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. It suggests that the language we speak shapes the way we think. For example, some languages have dozens of words for “snow”, while others have none. These differences aren’t just cosmetic—they influence the way we see the world.

A Stanford University study found that bilingual people are better at problem-solving and multitasking. They’re more open-minded, more creative, and more adaptable. In other words, they make better leaders.