Gideon May has dedicated his life to bridging the cultural and language divide between China and the U.S.
Gideon began studying Chinese language and culture at an early age in rural Vermont. Upon graduating summa cum laude from Tufts University with a degree in Chinese and Education, Gideon began his career by designing and teaching China Foreign Policy courses for students at Tufts University and the University of Montana.
At Next Level Communication, Gideon helps clients develop their communication strategy and cross-cultural fluency through 1:1 coaching and consulting. Gideon believes that helping stakeholders develop cross-cultural empathy create better dialogue between the next generation of global leaders.
Gideon is currently living in Boston, U.S.A.
Why Next Level Communication?
I am passionate about language learning and the art of communication. Tempered with international living and cross-cultural experiences, my background includes formal study of Mandarin, Arabic, French, and Spanish.
While living in China, I discovered that communication skills are best trained in the real world. I experienced the impact and possibility of authentic, cross-cultural communication through friendships and opportunities I found there. Since then, I have devoted myself to becoming a better communicator, leveraging my Mandarin fluency and cultural knowledge to learn and grow.
I joined Next Level because of the growth-oriented team culture and alignment of values among my colleagues. Despite our different backgrounds, we collaborate with authenticity, share knowledge with each other liberally, and are driven by a deep curiosity about the world around us. At Next Level, I am empowered to own my journey towards becoming a better communicator.
Tell us about your personal communication journey.
I strive to communicate with clarity of thought and the willingness to suspend judgement when facing the unfamiliar.
Living abroad in Lebanon and China taught me the importance and value of empathetic communication. We all come from different backgrounds and see the world through different eyes. Especially when cultural differences are present, it’s all too easy to misjudge and misunderstand each other.
I practice conscious processing as I communicate with others to afford better outcomes and learning.
What are your interests outside of work?
I like hiking, cooking, running, tennis, and all types of skiing.
I am an amateur skeet shooter and expert music enthusiast.
I love languages and try to have one conversation a day in Chinese.
What is something about you that people may not know?
I am a classically-trained timpanist and took part in two world tours, performing in Costa Rica and Italy.
What are some growth or learning goals that you are working on?
Meditation and mindfulness, the art of persuasion, and drawing healthy boundaries.
