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  3. Management

"ein Mann der leisen aber klaren Töne"

English translation: soft-spoken but straightforward

05:23 Apr 11, 2013
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Management / Communication style
German term or phrase: "ein Mann der leisen aber klaren Töne"
Referring to the communication style of a manager. I don't think this is about how loudly he speaks but more about him being a plain speaker/forthright speaker who doesn't raise his voice to get his way.
A plain yet reflective speaker? A man who speaks his mind plainly yet reflectively? Am I on the right track here?
Patricia Will
Australia
Local time: 08:42
English translation:soft-spoken but straightforward
Explanation:
That's how I understand it.
Selected response from:

NGK
United States
Local time: 19:42
Grading comment
Thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5soft-spoken but straightforward
NGK
4a soft-spoken man of clear messages
David Friemann, MA
3 +1a softly spoken, no-nonsense kind of man
Wendy Lewin
3a man who exudes a low-key but firm demeanor.
Michael Martin, MA
3a man who speaks with a soft, yet commanding voice
Anil Kelkar


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
\"ein Mann der leisen aber klaren Töne\"
a soft-spoken man of clear messages


Explanation:
translating leise Töne with soft-spoken is pretty obvious, and I think that clear messages rings nicely within a text about management styles.

David Friemann, MA
Germany
Local time: 02:42
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
der leisen aber klaren Töne
soft-spoken but straightforward


Explanation:
That's how I understand it.

NGK
United States
Local time: 19:42
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Thanks.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alexander Schleber (X): I like this best. Short and to-the-point.
1 hr
agree  Lindsay Condit Marshall
4 hrs
agree  MiriamT (X)
5 hrs
agree  Inna Edsall: I like this one most of all.
14 hrs
agree  David Williams
2 days 7 hrs
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
a softly spoken, no-nonsense kind of man


Explanation:
I just prefer softly spoken to soft spoken and wanted to offer an alternative for the "klaren Töne"

Wendy Lewin
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: Can a person be softly spoken? I wouldn't have thought so.
14 hrs
agree  David Williams: But "soft-spoken" rather than "softly spoken", cf. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/soft-spoken
2 days 3 hrs
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
a man who exudes a low-key but firm demeanor.


Explanation:
Low-key demeanor i definitely up there on the list of appropriate communication and leadership styles

Example from link below:

"Anastasia Bottos, executive vice president of business development and acquisitions for Media, Pa.-based Alarm Capital Alliance, exudes a low-key demeanor."

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Note added at 20 hrs (2013-04-12 02:11:38 GMT)
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Here's another one - a little closer to the original. It should also be noted that English uses verb phrases more frequently whereas German prefers noun phrases:

"A man who communicates softly but with candor"


    Reference: http://www.securitysales.com/channel/business-management/art...
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 20:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lancashireman: "A man who exudes a demeanour"? Michael, this takes sixth-hour interventions to a new level!
10 hrs
  -> Always one to explore new levels. I get bored with the run-of-the-mill stuff..
disagree  Cilian O'Tuama: English as no one speaks it IMO
11 hrs
  -> Sure. You just keep on thinking that..
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2 days 21 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
\"ein Mann der leisen aber klaren Töne\"
a man who speaks with a soft, yet commanding voice


Explanation:
(unless "commanding" is over the top here).

Anil Kelkar
Local time: 06:12
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in MarathiMarathi, Native in EnglishEnglish
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