We really are two nations divided by a common language 🤗😂
Last week, someone kindly wrote to tell me my emails were “riddled with spelling errors.”
The culprit?
I wasn’t writing in American English. I was writing in British English.
✔ Organisation / Organization
✔ Jewellery / Jewelry
✔ Defence / Defense
✔ Aluminium / Aluminum
✔ Mum / Mom
✔ Travelled / Traveled
(And yes, my spellchecker was working perfectly!)
Same words, different spellings. Neither wrong, just… different.
It made me laugh, and reminded me of something bigger. Ours is a truly global profession. We cross borders, cultures, and languages every single day. And sometimes the smallest things, like whether you use an “s” or a “z,” can cause a wobble in communication. Adopting a sense of humour when we bump into our differences is better than pointing fingers.
Here’s the takeaway:
🌍 Be curious before being critical.
🌍 Assume positive intent.
🌍 Remember that “different” is not the same as “wrong.”
Assistants know this better than anyone. You’re often the ones translating across time zones, styles, and expectations. And that ability to flex and bridge differences is one of the reasons this profession is indispensable.
After all, whether you put the “u” in humour or take it out, the point still stands. 😉
