Communication is an underrated aspect of our lives. Most often it gets limited to the language we converse in. At the workplace, we tend to restrict the definition of communication to the way we talk, how we word our emails, and body language. While all of these aspects are important, an organization, which looks at building a diverse workplace, should look at training employees in sign language for a positive culture.
On International Sign Language Day marked on September 23, We look at why sign language can be an equalizer that the workplace needs.
Empathetic move
A person with a hearing or speech disability has found ways to communicate with the rest. However, it is never a smooth ride for them, as they time and again try to be comprehended right. When you communicate to them in sign language, it indicates that you acknowledge their problem and are willing to help them out.
Truly inclusive
Organizations all over are making efforts to make their workplaces inclusive. However, inclusion doesn’t end by just offering a plank to enter the workforce. Inclusion also means providing someone the means to sustain the opportunity. Imagine the relief and delight of the person coming to a workplace, where people are ready to communicate in the same medium as theirs? It is akin to landing in a foreign land and suddenly spotting a guide who speaks in your native language.
Makes communication effective
Sometimes, a lot of important information is lost in long-winding conversations. Sign language not just focuses on choosing the right signs but also emphasizes the sequence of conveying the information. Sign language brings it to the basics of keeping it short, clear, and simple, dwelling on visual stories.
Makes one adaptable
A leader is always tested by new challenges, and a dynamic one responds adequately to them. Learning a sign language and effectively applying it to accommodate a diverse set of people with different needs indicate that the leader has gone the extra mile in the best interests of all in his/her team.
Customer-friendly move
When customer experience is the ultimate mantra for businesses, the benefits of training in sign language can translate into brand loyalty. Customers stick to a product or service that understands them completely. What better way to show that you understand the needs of one section than making it easy for them to communicate and interact with you?
As workplaces attempt to be equitable, imparting sign language is an essential soft skill to invest in for employees across levels.
