Inspired by a recent LinkedIn newsletter

Inspired by a recent LinkedIn newsletter, I found myself reflecting on the beautiful flexibility of summer routines and the new perspectives they bring.

This summer, indeed, has unfolded a vibrant mosaic of experiences for me. Being in Syracuse, the chief Greek city of ancient Sicily, I’ve found the rhythm of my professional life organically syncing with the leisurely pulse of summer.

Syracuse is the city of myth due to the rich mythological heritage that permeates the territory. It is known for being the city of Archimedes and Santa Lucia, two of his illustrious fellow citizens, for its historic center, the Island of Ortigia, rich in natural and architectural wonders.

My hometown, with its stunning coastline, has always been a treat for the eyes. ✨ But it’s not all sunshine and sea though, with the heatwave, fires, power cuts, and airport closures presenting some challenges here in Sicily. But, amidst all this, the beauty of networking shines bright.

The meeting at the sea early in the morning, the casual chats with digital nomads from all over the world, the exchange of valuable tips, the bond of shared experiences – it’s networking in its most enjoyable form. And did I mention all this happens while sunbathing? 😉 ‘Workcations’ are definitely in trend, but I’ve realised it’s more than just about changing the location of work.

As the LinkedIn newsletter suggested, summertime does bring a refresh to our work routines and our approach to professional life.

It’s about embracing a different perspective, reshaping your thinking, and finding joy in these new encounters.

And I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying this blend of work, networking, and the bliss of sun-kissed Sicilian mornings. So here’s to embracing change, celebrating flexibility, and making the most of these precious summer moments! ☀️ How are you mixing up work and summer? Are you also riding the ‘workcation’ wave?

The art of active listening

Ever thought about the power of listening?

It’s more than just hearing the words – it’s about decoding the emotions, the context, the non-verbal cues that speak volumes.

As an interpreter, I rely heavily on active listening. But truth be told, it’s a skill that can revolutionise anyone’s communication game. Whether you’re leading a team, working in customer service, or simply want to deepen your personal relationships, mastering the art of listening can be transformative.

However, listening is not easy. It requires focus, patience, curiosity, and openness. It also requires practice and feedback. Many of us think we are good listeners, but we often fall into bad habits that prevent us from listening deeply like interrupting, judging, or getting distracted while listening.

What if we could shift this and truly listen? Here are some tips I’ve learned from my journey as an interpreter and some research that might help you out:

1. Prepare Yourself: Clear your mind, relax, set an intention to listen with genuine curiosity and respect.

2. Be Fully Present: Show your engagement with nods, smiles, eye contact, and most importantly, put away those distractions!

3. Listen with Empathy: Try to understand and share the feelings of the speaker. Refrain from judging or trying to fix their problems.

4. Decipher the Hidden Message: Pay attention to non-verbal cues. They often reveal more than the words themselves.

5. Ask Open-ended Questions: Invite more elaborate responses to gain deeper understanding.

6. Reflect on What You Heard: Paraphrase or summarize the speaker’s words in your own language to ensure correct understanding.

7. Give Feedback and Appreciation: Share your thoughts about what’s been said and express gratitude or admiration, which helps in building rapport and trust. Listening is not just a skill; it’s an art. An art that can elevate your personal and professional relationships and bring more joy and fulfillment into your life.

I hope you found these tips useful and that you will try them out in your next conversation! 

Memory Mastery in Interpreting

Memory is one critical aspect in interpreting industry that is not often highlighted. There’s this notion that interpreters are just ‘human dictionaries or walking encyclopaedias’.

But it’s so much more complex than that!

Sure, language skills are the bread and butter, but having a high level of focus, listening skill and short term memory mastery are a must.

Short-term memory plays an irreplaceable role in delivering the accurate and instantaneous interpretation that you see (or rather, hear!) especially when it comes to specific types of interpretation, like consecutive, whispered or simultaneous.

Interpretation memory has three types: namely immediate memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. When I’m in the heat of an interpreting session, there’s no pause button,it’s a real-time, on-the-spot mental exercise.

I am laser focussed, I listen, comprehend, remember, interpret, and convey the message with empathy.

All of this, believe it or not, unfolds within seconds, and most of it is powered by short- term memory. It’s like competing in a mental Olympics, with each successful interpretation marking a gold medal.🥇 I’m often asked how I juggle all this information so swiftly and accurately.

My secret?

A combination of tried-and-true memory techniques and lots of practice (I.e. Information Visualization and Realization Training)

It’s a daily mental workout that keeps me ready for any interpreting challenge that comes my way.

Given the brain’s sensitivity to imagery I tend to memorize information by actualizing and visualizing information content.
Just as athletes push their physical limits, I, as an interpreter, continually push my mental limits.

So, next time you see an interpreter in action, remember, there’s a whole lot of short- term memory mastery behind those seemingly effortless interpreting. 😉 Just a thought – what techniques do you use to train your memory? I’d love to hear from you all! 

The 11 Essential Soft Skills

One thing I realised being in the translation & interpreting industry for two decades is it’s not all about mastering multiple languages. Yes, linguistic fluency is crucial, but another set of skills often takes centre stage – the ‘soft skills’.

Sure, knowing the ins and outs of a language is important, but so is the ability to work in a team, manage time, or resolve conflicts. They’re not typically something I’d see on a certificate, but they make all the difference in my day-to-day work.

According to Forbes, there are 11 essential soft skills that employers highly value. And here’s how I’ve seen them in action in my career:

1. Leadership: Steering interpretation projects, guiding teams, and influencing positive outcomes.

2. Ownership: Taking full responsibility for the accuracy and context of my translations, owning my work from start to finish.

3. Teamwork: Collaborating with fellow translators and interpreters, sharing knowledge and supporting each other.

4. Open communication: Keeping lines of communication open with clients and teams, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding.

5. Problem-solving: Working through complex translations, and finding the best solutions to linguistic challenges.

6. Time management: Juggling tight deadlines, multiple projects, and making sure each one gets the attention it deserves.

7. Adaptability: Being flexible and embracing changes, whether it’s evolving language trends or new tech in the field.

8. Critical thinking: Applying logic and reasoning in interpreting tasks, making judgement calls when direct translations aren’t possible.

9. Creativity: In simultaneous interpretation, time is of the essence, and creativity plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and accurate process. By creatively adapting language and using analogies, we can make difficult concepts more accessible and relatable to the audience in real-time, despite the pressure of the ticking clock.

10. Emotional intelligence: Recognising and navigating sensitive cultural nuances, understanding client emotions, and responding in a considerate manner.

11. Conflict resolution: Handling disagreements professionally, whether it’s over translation choices or project direction, aiming for consensus and understanding.

So while we continue to sharpen our expertise in any field, let’s not forget to give our soft skills some love too. After all, they’re what make us not just good, but great, individuals, personally and professionally! 🏆

I’d love to know, how you apply these skills in your work. Let’s share and learn from each other! 💬

Kotter’s 8-step model for leading change in interpretation

Change. It’s an inevitable part of life and no stranger to us in the interpretation and translation industry. But, how we manage it… well, that’s the real game-changer. With constant technological advancements and shifting global trends, adapting becomes our second nature.

But wouldn’t it be nice to have a roadmap? That’s where models like Kotter’s 8-Step, a tried and true method for implementing change, can be a godsend for this profession.

This model provides a valuable framework for successfully implementing change, particularly when it comes to introducing new interpretation methods or techniques.

Are you ready to discover how this model fits into the dynamic interpreting world?

Step 1: Create urgency

In a rapidly evolving industry, the need for updating skills, tools, and methods is urgent. Let’s acknowledge it and encourage the same sense of urgency in our colleagues.

Step 2: Build a guiding coalition

Form alliances with colleagues, clients or mentors. There’s strength in numbers when navigating the waves of change.

Step 3: Form a strategic vision

It’s not just about change, but the direction of that change. Plan your journey. Identify the new skills you need and the resources you can leverage.

Step 4: Enlist volunteers

Share the vision, get others onboard! You’ll find advice, resources and companions for your journey.

Step 5: Enable action by removing barriers

Identify and face those obstacles head-on. Eliminate obstacles, whether it;s learning software or adapting to a new linguistic norm, remove what’s holding you back.

Step 6: Generate short-term wins

A little win can go a long way. Whether its a successful project using your new skills or mastering a challenging tool, every count wins.

Step 7: Sustain acceleration

Keep the momentum going. Remember, change isn’t a one-off event. You need to keep going and embed change in everyday practice.

Step 8: Institute change

Lastly, let’s make chance the new norm. A step up in your tech, skills or methods shouldn’t be temporary, but a part of your identity.

Change might be challenging but it’s also a chance for growth and improvement.

How have you navigated change in your world?