In the bustling corridors of our organization, amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Communicating, Collaborating, and Celebrating (CCC) initiative, we find ourselves immersed in an enlightening journey. As part of this quest to unravel the secrets of effective communication, we had the honor of sitting down with Marcia Novela, ROMPCO’s Procurement Officer— we delved deep into her world, seeking to unearth her perspectives on communication, the potential for improvement, and the profound influence of her upbringing.

Through this introspective conversation, we discovered that Marcia’s wisdom and life story serves as a beacon, guiding us toward a more connected and empathetic future.

CCC: What are the most memorable moments of your childhood?

MN: My name is Márcia Novela, I was born on March 5, 1996 in the city of Maputo, my parents thought they would have a boy, against all expectations, Márcia is a girl.

I grew up in a good family environment, with deep love and values, and a lot of learning as a child the sport I practiced was swimming.

During secondary primary school I left Maputo for Pemba then I went to live in Beira, where I did college, and after that I went to live in Nampula where I had the first job opportunity, and later I moved to Tete, so today you ask yourself where I am, my answer is I am from Mozambique, thanks to these experiences with different cultures, habits and customs.

CCC: What is your understanding of communication?

MN: Communication is a fundamental part of human interaction and is essential for the functioning of any society, as it allows the transmission of information, ideas and emotions from one person to another, ensures trust, creates a positive environment, increases productivity and improves relationships between people.

To build and maintain connections, both personal and professional, depends on effective communication.

CCC: What communication problems have you faced?

MN: When I left Maputo I had an intense shock in communication due to cultural differences and the language barrier.

Even if you spoke the Portuguese language at school, the pronunciation was different, which was not offensive to me, to others it was. To do this, I learned to deal with other people from different cultures.

So even when speaking the same language, unique dialects, accents, and communication quirks can result in misunderstandings and other unintended consequences.

At ROMPCO it was the language itself. Several times people said they didn’t understand even using “Google translation”, there were words that didn’t exactly match what I meant.

CCC: What can be done to improve communication?

MN: First we must understand that we have different backgrounds, so it is important to use clear and concise language and get straight to the point, avoid figurative language and slang.

It is important to be aware of ethnocentrism or the assumption that all cultures share your values, beliefs, and lifestyle. So it’s important to accept that difference.

Giving Feedback is important to make comments on the message heard and react in an appropriate and respectful manner, This ensures that the message is understood and that any misconceptions are promptly resolved.

A good communicator not only knows how to speak and express himself well, he must also know how to listen.

CCC: How do you think communication can be improved at ROMPCO?

MN: I think ROMPCO is in the right direction, I consider ROMPCO a diverse and inclusive company, we have workers from diverse cultural backgrounds working together. Effective communication in these organizations involves understanding and respect for cultural differences.

For me the recent Team Building we had was the right strategy, a sign that the company is concerned with the different cultures that exist in the company and without good communication little progress will be made.

On the other hand, the nine ongoing initiatives which have grouped individuals with cultural differences and this helps to make communication more culturally sensitive, because it creates a culture that emphasizes a shared set of values, and thus promotes a sense of belonging and will break down cultural barriers.

Still, it is necessary to always emphasize to employees that they can come and make suggestions, comments and feedback not only positive feedback, but also negative feedback, through suggestion box to collect tips and complaints from employees without them having to worry about the repercussions.

The use of a single language at work is important in this case English. Any other launguage encourages exclusion.

Finally, it is necessary to stimulate feedback in each message transmitted. The reaction of the receiver of the message is important for communication to be dynamic and vibrant.

CCC: Do you have any quotes about the communication that inspired you?

MN: What determines the success of communication “is not what you say, but how you say it.”

Throughout our conversation, we explored the potential for improvement in our communication practices. Marcia challenged us to break with conventional norms and embrace innovative approaches that promote inclusion, transparency and active listening. Their invigorating perspectives ignited a spark within us, urging us to reevaluate our own communication habits and to dare to explore uncharted territories in our quest for effective collaboration.