Have you ever wondered whether your colleagues speak the same language as you?
What about if they all spoke different languages?
How would you get anything done?
For Jenny Lala, this is just part of her everyday job and she will tell you that you can get a lot done!
Jenny, who is an AusAID employee, is currently on secondment to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat.
ASEAN brings together 10 countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.
ASEAN is a large organisation, which aims to reduce poverty, increase economic growth and make the region more connected. In a nutshell, ASEAN is working to create a strong and prosperous ASEAN community.
The ASEAN Secretariat helps coordinate the different parts of ASEAN, and oversees the implementation of ASEAN projects and activities by member countries.
Given the size of ASEAN and the number of projects and activities underway, this is a big task.
As ASEAN's first dialogue partner in 1974, Australia has a long history of supporting ASEAN.
Australia funds a number of projects that support ASEAN's goal of establishing an ASEAN community by 2015.
Australia is also working to build the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat – which is where Jenny plays a key role.
Jenny is the Program Director of the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program - Phase II (AADCP II).
The AADCP II is a seven-year program which is aims to improve investment, trade and consumer protection in the region.
Jenny lives in Jakarta and oversees a project team of eight people from various ASEAN countries.
She also works closely with members of the ASEAN Secretariat who are part of the project management team.
Together, Jenny and her team, oversee more than 35 projects as part of the AADCP II.
"It's a hands-on role requiring a lot of people and project management leadership to ensure the team is delivering" says Jenny.
On any given day, Jenny may be clearing project proposals, dealing with contracts and budgets, managing staff related issues and so on.
It is also important that Jenny spends time reflecting on and communicating the longer term program direction.
There is no doubt that Jenny's role requires a lot of leadership and problem solving skills.
"We operate in an environment that is constantly changing and challenging."
But this is something that Jenny loves about her work.
Jenny has been in this role for nearly two-years and has built strong relationships with her colleagues.
"Bringing together a team from different backgrounds and cultures and unifying them with team spirit, goals and priorities and then seeing everyone working hard to achieve together is a great thing to be part of."
It is therefore no surprise that she says she will miss her team the most when she leaves.
"We work in a room together and have shared a lot over the last couple of years."
When asked what makes Jenny and her colleagues laugh, her response is simple,
"my karaoke singing – it's terrible!"
It goes to show that it doesn't matter what language you speak, some things are universal.