As the complexity of our world soars and the pace of change increases, efficiently exchanging information and effectively persuading business partners and colleagues across cultural and language differences is no longer a luxury. The commerce of influence is escalating across the globe and such key abilities once limited to the diplomatic elite are fast becoming a 'must' to any executive aspiring to higher communication performance.

Foreign language acquisition rests on and nurtures outstanding generic communication abilities. In order to reach fluency, learners need to develop and hardwire these underpinning skills. Achieving mastery requires regular practice that no one day, knowledge transfer seminar can deliver. Building fluency in a target language provides individuals with ample opportunities to reinforce the following desirable behaviours. This list is not exhaustive.

• Stepping outside comfort zone
• Engaging proactively in another person's reality and language
• Networking
• Rapport
• Integrating a diverse communication style
• Superior listening skills
• Observing non verbal cues
• Mirroring and bonding competencies
• Understanding from experience the challenge of being spoken to in a foreign language
• Sensitivity to non native Anglo-Saxon speakers
• Increasing working memory
• learning networks
• Manage self and others in peak performance zone
• Action focused, make-it-happen skills
• Self discipline

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Likewise, successfully understanding other cultural values and grasping the link between behavior and culture will help any executive overcome why others do not get it, approve of it or even resist it.

In addition, acquiring a foreign language and/or a cross-cultural expertise drives and nurtures high performing two-way communication competences and is a powerful influence builder.