Never Stay ‘Blocked’ during a Meeting in English Again
In this guide, I’m excited to show you how to get past the barrier of speaking English in front of others during business conversations.
If you aspire to advance in your company or join a multinational organization, it’s essential to develop the ability to express your ideas in English confidently, even if it feels challenging.
Staying silent or contributing minimally in English meetings is not a viable long-term approach. To showcase your full potential, this barrier needs to be addressed.
Many struggle voicing their opinions in English during meetings but it isn’t because they don’t have a point of view on the topic being discussed. The root cause of what often holds people back from speaking up is ‘fear’.
For non-native speakers, rising above the fears associated with speaking in front of others is one of the greatest challenges.
So today I want to share three common fears non-native speakers experience that prevent them from speaking up in English meetings. Additionally, I’ll give you suggestions on how to overcome each of these fears. They are:
1. The Fear of Making Mistakes in Front of Others
2. The Fear of Being Judged by Others
3. The Fear of Not Being Understood
Let’s dive deeper into each fear.
1. The Fear of Making Mistakes in Front of Others
This fear is rooted in the idea that mistakes make you appear less competent or professional. The truth is, no one expects perfect English. What matters most is clarity and contribution.
Overcoming this fear:
Focus on clarity, not perfection: Instead of worrying about saying everything perfectly, prioritise conveying your main idea. Begin by defining the outcome of your message to yourself.
Speak in an easy-to-follow manner.: Avoid overcomplicating sentences. Stick to straightforward vocabulary that you feel confident using. Learn ‘speech frameworks’ to structure and organise your thoughts.
Prepare adequately: Prepare key sentences you might need to reduce hesitation during meetings. Anticipate potential questions and rehearse their answers.
The key to overcoming the fear of making mistakes is transitioning your mindset from worrying about mistakes to prioritizing communication.
2. The Fear of Being Judged by Others
Many worry their colleagues will think less of them if their English isn’t perfect. This fear intensifies in situations where others are considered highly proficient in English or when engaging with native speakers.
Overcoming this fear:
Reframe your mindset: Remember that contributing ideas is more valuable than staying silent. Your unique perspective is what counts.
Furthermore, your listeners are much more interested in your message than in evaluating your English proficiency. Therefore, look to give value to your listeners and always consider what they need to hear from you before raising your ideas.
Start by making small contributions: The goal here is to ‘warm up’ before making a bigger contribution. Asking clarifying questions (e.g. “Can you explain what you mean by…?”) and paraphrasing (e.g. “So, you’re saying that…”) are effective ways to contribute during a meeting without feeling the pressure to voice an idea at the get-go.
Another way to make a small contribution is to support your colleagues with their input. Simple phrases like “That’s a great point.” or “I appreciate your insight.” not only help you speak up but also boost your colleagues’ confidence.
By shifting your focus from perfection to participation and starting with small, supportive contributions, you can build confidence and show that your voice matters in discussions.
3. The Fear of Not Being Understood
This fear can arise from worries about pronunciation, accent, or phrasing. You might think, What if they don’t understand what I mean?
Overcoming this fear:
Check understanding: After sharing your point, you can say, “Does that align with what you’re thinking?” or “Let me know if you need me to clarify.”
By asking if they are clear on your message, you also demonstrate empathy and concern for others.
Speak clearly and at a steady pace: Nerves can make you speak quicker than normal. But speaking too fast can make it harder for others to understand, even if your ideas are excellent.
Additionally, pausing for a couple of seconds helps your listeners absorb your message resulting in higher-quality engagement.
By speaking clearly, pacing yourself, and checking for understanding, you can overcome the fear of being misunderstood and ensure your message is effectively communicated.
Conclusion
Fears often cloud our judgment and create barriers that don’t exist in reality. When we face them head-on, we realize they are not as daunting as they seemed. Confronting and overcoming these fears not only dismantles their power but also strengthens our confidence for future challenges.
