The Essay: Don’t Let the Best Be the Enemy of the Good

In the story of João and Ana the characters demonstrate two very different approaches to learning a foreign language.  João is driven by a quest for perfection but is hesitant to use his French in its nascent, flawed state; Ana, on the other hand, seems to care only about communicating and uses French as she knows how, as mangled as it may be. During the course of their time in Paris, Ana experiences a great deal of growth while João remains paralyzed by his insecurities. Ironically, the character who accepted her imperfections (knowingly or not) ultimately arrived at a much greater command of the language. The story illustrates a curious paradox- an obsession with perfection can be the enemy of real progress!

Anyone who has lived abroad while learning a foreign language can probably identify with either João or Ana, or both. It is nearly impossible not to make mistakes in grammar, syntax or pronunciation while learning a new language and while it is obviously important to correct our mistakes, no betterment can be achieved without speaking and practice. To master a foreign language we must strive for excellence while at the same time accepting our own imperfections and trying to speak. We may think that we are making fools of ourselves, but the real fool is the language learner who is too timid to try.

Postponing an action until the “perfect” moment arrives is something that we all have done at one moment of another. Most of us have also had the experience of finding that the longer we wait the more difficult things become. “It’s been 3 months since I’ve called Grandma, I absolutely have to call her but I’ll wait until tomorrow, it’s too late now… It’s too early in the morning, maybe she’s still sleeping, I’ll call her after work… I only have half-an-hour now, maybe I should call on the weekend, when I have more time… She likes to watch TV on Saturday evenings, I wouldn’t want to interrupt…” Before long 3 months have become 4 and the situation just gets worse and worse. Probably the perfect moment that we are waiting for will never come and if we are smart we realize that an imperfect action is better than no action at all.

A songwriter will usually have at least some small part of the melody or the lyrics which he is not completely satisfied with but which he must accept for the greater good of the song as a whole. An engineer designs a bridge as best as she can but knows that there is always some situation- as extreme as it may be- in which it will fail to function. A painter is forced at some point to step back from his work and say “it’s not perfect but I like it” or he risks spending the rest of his life covering the same canvas with ever thickening layers of paint. The song, the bridge, and the painting would never be sang, crossed, and admired by the greater public if their artists were not willing at some point to let some small imperfections go.

What actions are we putting off for eternity while we wait for the right moment? What projects are we hiding in the workshop, unsatisfied with their imperfection? Waiting for perfection, how much good work are we forsaking? The adventure of learning and growth starts with the first step, and no amount of immobile preparation can make the first step so long as to make up for all of the progress that we could have made while we were waiting.

The Story: Don’t Let the Best Be the Enemy of the Good

João sat on the side of the dormitory party, quietly observing the others, students from France and all over the world who, like him, had come to Paris to study. João had arrived here only a few weeks before from his home in Rio de Janeiro and had already fallen in love with the City of Lights.  Tonight, however, as in almost every other situation here, the normally talkative boy found himself resigned to silence. Even after years of French classes, João didn’t feel confident enough to speak with the natives. He needed time to formulate his sentences correctly, often couldn’t remember the precise vocabulary word he wanted, and above all, was embarrassed by his pronunciation.

João spent most of the party listening to the others speak. One girl in particular caught his attention, not for the usual reasons that girls catch a boy’s attention, but because she spoke boisterously throughout the entire evening. Like, João, she had just arrived from abroad — from Madrid, he gathered. Any casual observer would have instantly identified her as Spanish by her marked accent and  mangled syntax.

João wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or amused by the girl.  Some of the French people at the party couldn’t hide their amusement, mimicking her with loud guffaws. He was happy to have restricted his conversation to the few things that he knew how to say well; he surely wouldn’t have wanted to be the butt of French jokes for the way he spoke! He would just have to wait for his French to greatly improve before he could converse with people here in the same way that he could converse with people back home.

But as the months went by, João grew quieter and quieter. He had mastered a nearly perfect French pronunciation of some key phrases that he used every day- he felt very confident ordering his morning café au lait and croissant- but he rarely found the courage to say more than what was absolutely necessary and spent most of his day in silence.

One day, while he was riding his bike home from long hours in the library, a car flew out of a side street with no warning and struck João to the ground. Though dazed by the blow, he jumped quickly  to his feet. Staring at the driver through the windshield, he found himself speechless. After a few seconds of silence, the man tore off, leaving João briefly dumbfounded in the middle of the street until the squeal of screaming tires announced the abrupt stop of the car. A young girl was standing in front of the car, laying into the driver in a torrent of angry and fluent French.  Within minutes, the driver was at João’s side, begging for forgiveness. When it was all over, João had obtained not only a heartfelt apology, but a ride to the hospital and insurance information to pay for medical costs and bike repairs.

João received something else from the bike accident: an important lesson. The girl, his savior, was Ana, the fellow student from Madrid whose French he had so disdained at the beginning of the year. He was sure that none of the people along the street who had heard her give the irresponsible driver a piece of her mind had laughed at her. In fact, the driver looked as if he had seen a ghost after her sermon. Ana, for however sloppy her grammar and pronunciation had been, had obviously made great strides in her French during her time in Paris through constant trial and error while João had let his fear of making mistakes inhibit his progress. On his way back from the hospital, João thought of a quote from Winston Churchill that he had read in a book earlier that day: “The maxim ‘Nothing avails but perfection’ may be spelled ‘paralysis’.”

The Gift of Giving

A business executive knows that every transaction which his or her enterprise makes must be directly or indirectly profitable. An expenditure of time, labor, and/or money which is not recompensed with at least equal value- money, or goods and services which will allow money to be made- is a foolish move. This is how businesses work.

Humans don’t work in the same way- we don’t coldly calculate the profitability of every action (many, yes, but not all). At times we do things simply for pleasure, and in many instances we help others with no mind for personal gain; however in reality neither of these types of actions is as anti-economic as it may seem. Our pleasure- of which there are many different types- may be regarded as our profits, and “giving” has the potential to be a very rewarding action.

Giving is that action which doesn’t fit into the quid pro quo model of thinking; however, even though when we give we don’t expect to gain anything in return, we often do receive benefits which are not easily quantifiable. The act of giving in itself can be a very rewarding experience, often referred to as the “gift of giving.”  It rewards us with that elusive currency of pleasure which no economic system is capable of evaluating. The joy which we can provide to others through an act or a material present is often well-worth the time, labor, or money which it costs us. We might not be able to economically verify this fact, but all human beings surely know it.

Beyond the immediate joy, giving also has more long-term effects. Giving creates stronger bonds between us and others, bonds which in the future may or may not produce fruit because, just as we are willing to give to others, others are willing to do the same for us. Furthermore, when our gifts go beyond simple one-time presents to long-term services which effectively strengthen those around us, we create an environment in which all, including ourselves, can flourish. This is the secret of prospering in a community- the good of others is also the good of oneself.

This is not a revolutionary idea- people with strong families, in well-off communities, with supportive friends, are more likely to succeed- and associations of people often follow the same principles. A basketball team wants to win its conference, but it also realizes that the strength of its conference is its fortune. A town may be happy to be economically superior to surrounding communities, but it knows that extreme poverty for its neighbors would sooner or later spell disaster for itself.  This reality means that the basketball team could find itself cheering on its archrivals against a non-conference team and that a town might offer services which are available to residents of neighboring towns as well. Do profit-oriented businesses follow the same rules?

The Boston Language Institute finds that giving can be a positive venture for all involved. The Institute offers free language classes to foreigners. Supervised trainees teach the classes for free, thus gaining valuable teaching experience which will help them construct a career while the foreigners learn English- without any monetary exchange. The classes are also a service to the community-at-large:  The improved communication skills of the students will be a boon not only for themselves but also for the people with whom they interact at work, at the supermarket, in their apartment building, and anywhere else. A stronger, more functional community can only be a good thing for businesses, which need clients who have the resources- money and time- to purchase goods or services from them. Businesses in Boston owe much of their success to the community itself. In the end The Boston Language Institute reaps the rewards from the seeds of giving which it sows.

The power of giving for businesses might be a hard argument to buy because it is not easily quantifiable, but truly smart businesses in the 21^st Century will start to act a little more like humans, who realize that not each and every action can be repaid instantly and equally.

Conscious Capitalism

Upon waking up from cryogenic freezing in the 1990s and discovering that the Cold War is over, the groovy title character of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery exclaims “Finally those capitalistic pigs will pay for their crimes, eh?” before learning that capitalism has “won.” 20th century capitalism did in fact win an important showdown with communism and has been economically and politically dominant in the world ever since, but in today’s climate of financial uncertainty it is not so clear that it won the decisive battle.

To call our present economic system capitalism is just part of the story- the denomination more precisely refers to a parentage of economic systems which has gone through many reincarnations throughout the centuries. Significant changes in technology, infrastructure, politics, and culture have caused it to evolve from agrarian capitalism mixed with feudalism to Mercantilism, Industrial Capitalism, and Financial Capitalism, among other variants. Many business leaders and intellectuals believe that we are on the verge of a new tipping point in economics which will require a shift in our current variant of capitalism.

Conscious Capitalism is an ideology which promises to capture the essence of the new world order. A growing movement supported by eminent business leaders such as John Mackey of Whole Foods Market, Kip Tindell of The Container Store, and Doug Rauch of Trader Joe’s along with leading academics and intellectuals, Conscious Capitalism is “a philosophy based on the belief that a more complex form of capitalism is emerging that holds the potential for enhancing corporate performance while simultaneously continuing to advance the quality of life for billions of people. ” The underlying philosophy of the movement is that a successful business creates value not only for its owners and/or investors but for all people who in some way interact with the corporation.

Conscious Capitalism may sound a lot like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which recognizes that beyond investors and clients, corporations have many different stakeholders- the employees, suppliers, community, environment that can in some way be affected by its actions- and assigns to corporations the responsibility to positively affect all of these stakeholders. But whereas CSR is a response to external pressures based on the idea that corporations grow rich at the expense of many others and therefore have an obligation to act in socially responsible way, Conscious Capitalism is an internal movement aimed at increasing competitiveness of corporations in the changing world. And it works: A study by David Wolfe, Rajendra Sisodia and Jagdish Sheth shows that companies oriented towards the creation of value for all of their stakeholders have had exceptional short and long-term market returns. Conscious Capitalism is not a pre-emptive move to avoid increased government control of large corporations, nor is it a publicity strategy to inflate a “do-good” image of corporations. It is simply good business.

The Conscious Capitalist corporation paradoxically achieves good profits by not having profits as its end goal; rather it sees profits as a means to achieving some other purpose- its Business Mission. The ideology of Conscious Capitalism elicits a final reflection- perhaps businesses don’t exist in order to make profits but rather profits are made so that businesses might exist. If Austin Powers were frozen for another 20 years he would probably wake up to find that the “capitalistic pigs” familiar to him are nowhere to be found. Of course only time will tell where the world is really headed, but smart- and successful- corporations are already on the path of Conscious Capitalism.

The Spirit of Giving

In order to thrive businesses must, of course, make a financial profit. However, the most successful businesses know that “profit” can be understood not merely in terms of financial gain but also in terms of general benefits to oneself and to the community. It is this broad definition of “profit” that people reference when they speak about a “profitable experience.”

When businesses give back to the community, they are truly creating a profitable experience for everyone involved. The community profits from the company’s support, and the company gains a respected position in the community, new business contacts, and an increase in employee morale and brand recognition. Quite often, these benefits also lead to increased financial profits for the organization.

Sometimes organizations are uniquely positioned to help in their community. In recent years, corporate philanthropy has moved beyond simply making financial contributions to charity. A recent ABC News story highlighted Google’s newest venture, Google Ideas, which puts its best and brightest minds in the service of increasing access to technology across the world. However, you don’t have to be a multi-billion dollar company to be an asset to your community. Even small businesses have products and skills that can aid food banks, social outreach programs, local governments, and educational initiatives.

Widening the understanding of “the spirit of giving” beyond just financial contributions can also help companies create unique, morale-building experiences for their employees. Giving employees and management a fully paid day to volunteer together to build a house for Habitat for Humanity can produce an infinitely more rewarding experience than the typical corporate retreat.

The presence of company representatives within the community also puts a human face on the organization, and a company’s charitable work can become an important part of brand awareness and messaging. Businesses often highlight charitable work in advertising and on their website. When employees are volunteering as part of a company initiative, they often wear logoed attire that indicates their affiliation. Consumers not only have an increased awareness of the corporate brand; they also build positive associations with it.

Additionally, employees can directly benefit from the volunteering experience by accruing new skill sets, which can make them more valuable members of their company and give them a permanent career advantage. A 2011 LinkedIn survey found that 41% of employers gave volunteer work equal consideration with paid work when evaluating the experiences of job candidates.

Finally, participating actively in helping the community provides a valuable forum for corporate networking. Many non-profits rely on services and financial contributions from a diversity of businesses. Working with these non-profits can help businesses forge valuable connections with other companies and begin the work of building consumer associations between brands. Collaborating in the service of a charitable cause can be the forerunner of more formal cooperative ventures.

In short, giving back to the community is a win-win proposition for everyone involved: the community gains from the services, products, or funds made available; employees enjoy increased morale and gain valuable skills; and companies profit from networking opportunities and increased brand recognition. Broadening the understanding of corporate philanthropy from a sole focus on financial contributions to a broader vision of community involvement can increase all of these benefits.

The Boston Language Institute Internships

Are you a college student who thinks globally? Are you interested in studying abroad or in pursuing a career with an international, multicultural flavor? With over 140 languages taught, an internship at The Boston Language Institute is a full-on immersion in foreign languages and cultures. The Boston Language Institute is the leading language school in New England, but it is more than just a place to study a new language- it is where people with a passion for the world in all its variety come together to study, to learn from one another, and to forge global-minded partnerships.

Want to experience France, Iran, Egypt, Italy, Poland, and India all in the same place? The excellent teachers of The Boston Language Institute- typically native speakers- bring their languages and their vast array of cultural experiences with them. The confluence of Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Urdu, Polish, Vietnamese, Tamil, Khmer, and dozens more is a melodious harmony not only of sounds but also of cultures. Opportunities to experience these cultures abound, from seminars to celebrations to the professional and social relationships developed. From a humanistic point of view, a few months spent at The Boston Language Institute is equivalent to taking a trip around the world.

The rich cultural life in which interns participate continues beyond the walls of the Institute. Interns Mengyu Liu, Camila Aguais, and Ilana Mittleman recently participated in a talk held by Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte, a former U.S. permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations; a great question during the talk by Ms. Liu- a sophomore from South China at Bryn Mawr College- prompted the Ambassador to spend 30 minutes after the talk with the interns. Students with rich cultural backgrounds will find that they are well-prepared to dialogue with professionals in international careers.

Experiencing the rarefied, multi-cultural air of The Boston Language Institute is a great way for a college student with global aspirations to lay the groundwork for the next big step- study or work abroad. An internship here disposes students to interact with people from all over the world and develops social skills which are important professionally and personally. The exposure to the wide range of languages and cultures helps interns clarify where their interests lie, and the internship work develops professional skills important for a career in politics, education, or a variety of other human-based occupations.

During their time here, interns at The Boston Language Institute won’t see the leaning tower of Pisa, but they may meet a Pisan; they won’t visit the Islamic Republic of Iran but may get to know someone who has lived there, they will not visit the wild beauties of South Africa but may engage with representatives of its various ethnic groups. After their experience here interns will be ready to visit the world with a different perspective. We here at The Boston Language Institute think that people are the most important part of the global experience, and we think you’ll agree!

Immersion Language Learning

Come learn English in Boston!

There are generally two paths to learning a foreign language as an adult or an adolescent- the academic and the experiential route. While either of these approaches may potentially lead to a masterful command of the language, when they are employed together language learning becomes a fast, fun, and life-changing experience. A full-immersion program which combines study with real-life situations is a great option for the eager student of a foreign language.

Living in a foreign country is a 24-hour a day learning experience. Situations abound in which limitations in expression and comprehension must be surpassed, and these are the moments in which a special kind of experiential learning takes place. Given a pressing reason to express ourselves we find that we are capable of saying much more than we would have thought. In addition, the contact with native speakers provides us with a constant influx of new vocabulary and models of correct speech.

The startling number of new situations which we face in a foreign country can often be overwhelming, but a solid academic study of the language gives us the tools necessary to quickly and efficiently interpret this information and incorporate it into our own language skills. In a full-immersion program, students divide their time between real-life language situations and methodical classroom study. Classroom lessons are verified personally by the students in their experiences and situations encountered on the street are clarified at school. The academic and experiential methods thereby work together to accelerate the student’s foreign language acquisition.

There’s no doubt about it- full-immersion is a fast and balanced way to learn a foreign language, but it is also a tremendously rewarding and exciting experience which leaves the student with memories and friendships which will last a lifetime. Exploring a foreign country puts the student in direct contact not only with a foreign language but with a new culture; the possibilities to meet new people and have new, life-changing experiences are endless. Students find that these friendships and experiences remain in their hearts for many years to come and often return to their host city for return visits- or to stay.

Moreover, the skills acquired in a full-immersion program are not just linguistic. Learning to get by in a place which may be drastically different from home instills a great sense of independence in students and helps them feel sure that they will be able to cope with any changes that life may throw at them in the future. Living, working, studying, and socializing with people from other countries gives students a facility of interaction with just about anyone in social and professional settings. Academically, students will find themselves prepared to approach the study of other subjects with the same balance between the academic and experiential paths which they applied to learning the foreign language. Finally, the time abroad and away from their usual life and routines gives them a new perspective on just about everything in their own lives! No matter where life may take them after their experience- around the world or right back to their home- full-immersion students are marked by the maturity which they acquired in their time abroad.

If you are interested in turning your study of English into an unforgettable experience a full-immersion program may be just what you are looking for!