Do you ever feel when you’re attending an important online business meeting with other executives you want to jump in and express your thoughts on the topic under discussion, but you won’t? You think if you open your mouth to articulate your thoughts, you won’t find the right words in English to say what you really want to. You think you won’t look smart, or the other executives will think you really don’t know the material, even though you do.
Since business meetings in large corporations and organizations are generally held in English, it’s important, as an executive, to be sufficiently eloquent to express your ideas and thoughts clearly in English. It becomes problematic when you lack the confidence to say what you’d like because you think you’re not going to articulate your thoughts and ideas as effortlessly as you would in your native tongue. And, you just don’t want to be embarrassed.
As a business coach I often work with executives whose first language is not English. They’re very skilled at the work they do. Yet they tell me they’re reluctant to open their mouths to speak at cross country corporate online meetings. They don’t want to look incompetent or appear as if they don’t understand the topic under discussion. I well imagine that I would feel the same way if I was the person sitting in a meeting where I was not confident in my language skills. I’d probably sit there hoping that I wouldn’t be noticed.
In some cases, they tell me that they are better able to explain the intricacies of their work when they talk with me. However, when it comes to meetings and they are anxious to share thoughts in English, it can become challenging and downright embarrassing.
So, what can you do if you are experiencing these issues and you want to take a more active role in corporate meetings that are held virtually? How might you get over that discomfort? Here are some of the strategies and techniques I suggest to my clients to help them get over their discomfort and be a star communicator.
Familiarize Yourself With the Topic Under Discussion
Memos, as well as other materials, on meeting items are usually sent out in advance to participants. So read or listen to them. And do it more than once!
Prepare In Writing And In Speaking What You Might Want to Say
Once you know the topics under consideration, take time to think about how and what you might say regarding the different items. Write down what you would like to say. Practice articulating your thoughts and ideas.
Videotape Yourself and Listen To How You Sound
There’s nothing more effective than looking and listening to yourself on a video you create. The good part is you’re the only one who can see it. However, you could send it to a trusted colleague or friend for feedback. You could also practice in front of a mirror.
Schedule a 30 Minute Complimentary Meeting to meet Sandra via phone or video. Find out if you both are a good fit to work together. Come to the call with your questions and what business communications challenges you’d like to get help with.