Having the Courage to Bring Your Whole Self to Work

“I can’t understand anything they’re saying,” I thought.

I was sitting in my first meeting since moving to the U.S. from Mexico. I remember it clearly: an internal audit meeting with my boss and a diverse group of people from several different countries. Back in Mexico, while I was working as a Finance Controller at a manufacturing plant, I believed my English was quite good. My English-speaking boss and I never had any communication problems.

But that internal audit meeting shook my confidence. As other English as a second language (ESL) speakers began addressing the group, I looked around the room while thinking frantically, “I don’t know if anyone can understand what they’re saying. I can’t understand anything they’re saying.”

My confusion turned to cold alarm when people from the U.S. began replying to them. “OK. They’re all understanding each other. It’s me,” I realized. I was the only one struggling.

One of my biggest challenges when I moved to the U.S. was developing my English language skills. I hadn’t been exposed to the accents of ESL speakers from other countries. Conversations involving multiple, overlapping speakers were difficult to follow.

This made me very quiet in meetings. I was worried about saying something that would lead others to say, “We just said that.” It created a real panic. I was also worried about my accent, thinking, “I need to make sure that my accent is not too thick.” I admitted my struggle to my boss at the time:

“I feel so bad, because in meetings, I probably only capture 70% of what people are saying. And if people from other countries start talking and getting involved in the conversation, then I’m getting even more confused.”

My boss told me he’d noticed my reservation to speak. “How can we help you?” he asked. To be honest, I didn’t know what would help, except to continue practicing and having meetings. I was provided with English classes and assigned to work with people from different countries to supplement my language practice.

It was a hard transition — a stressful first two years in the U.S and I wasn’t happy with my performance. Thankfully, with accommodations, acceptance, the help of my ESL instructor and countless hours of practice, I was able to reach a language proficiency where I felt confident I was delivering the quality of work that I was used to.

Flash forward to today

I’m proud to be part of a company that celebrates diversity and actively supports employees with different backgrounds. Atmus gives me the ability to represent my community through opportunities like being a co-leader of ALIGN (Atmus Latin American Inclusion and Growth Network), an employee resource group in the U.S. for Atmus Latin Americans. Through ALIGN, we not only support Latin American employees, but also enhance our representation within the company. I am incredibly proud to co-lead ALIGN and contribute to its mission.

Moving from Mexico was a shift completely outside of my comfort zone. I had to adjust to different work environments, communication styles and cultural aspects, all while staying true to my roots.

Thanks to Atmus’ caring work culture, I am empowered to extend the same acceptance, support and respect that so deeply impacted my life. Allowing Latin Americans like me to advance professionally while protecting what is important to us. My pride in being Latin American and Atmus’ support have made the risk of bringing my full self to work completely worth it.

And funnily enough, people often tell me they like my accent.