Here’s 1 underused, POWERFUL skill you need to develop if you want to give more professional, effective, persuasive English presentations…
Focus less on the actual English you use, and focus more on your “people skills”.
Why? Because too many managers focus too much on using “advanced English” but sacrifice everything else.
This results in no confidence when giving presentations, no results from your meetings and negotiations with global teams, confused and frustrated teams, and less progress in your own career.
Someone who has “OK” English but who has strong people skills can get significantly ahead in their career (and life) compared with someone who speaks “perfect” or “advanced” English but who lacks people skills.
My clients see this all the time the more we work together, and they see the difference doing this makes in their careers.
So what exactly do I mean by “people skills”? Here are 3 areas, and how you can ensure you apply them to your own English presentation and communication skills:
✅ Emotional intelligence:
Learn how to read people, understand WHY they’re there listening to you, and clarify HOW to ensure your presentation is actually relevant and worth their time.
For example, even if they’re physically present, are they actually listening to you and invested in what you’re saying?
If their eyes are fully focused on you, what you’re sharing on your PowerPoint, and or taking notes and engaging with questions, these are good signs they’re really taking what you’re sharing seriously.
On the other hand, if you see them on their phones, falling asleep, looking at their watches, and or looking at something or someone else, they’re probably not that invested or interested in whatever it is you’re sharing.
If the latter situation is happening to you often, then it’s your job to determine why this is happening.
While it could very well be their problem, it’s more likely that this issue is your problem:
Your message is not resonating with them, it doesn’t feel relevant to them, and you might even be wasting their time.
Don’t proudly assume that just because you’re the “boss” or the team’s “leader” they should be listening to you.
It’s your job to GIVE THEM a solid reason to listen to you, be invested in your message, and take relevant action after listening.
This is an example of applying emotional intelligence to your presentations or when negotiating, it’s your responsibility as the person leading the discussion to ensure you’re doing this.
✅ Build empathy and rapport:
You need to learn how to really connect with your audience, show you actually understand their situation, and prove that you can provide a meaningful solution.
“Advanced English” won’t make a difference if your audience doesn’t believe you can actually help them.
Specifically, you can build empathy and rapport by researching, ensuring your presentation and the content are directly relevant to your audience, showing that you understand their problems and challenges, and getting them involved in the conversation.
Create some Q&A opportunities to let your team voice their concerns, questions, and uncertainties.
Encourage them to share their ideas, suggestions, and or opinions, especially if their opinions are relevant in the context of the content you’re discussing.
Never be so arrogant to believe that because you’re the “leader”, you shouldn’t let your team voice their questions and concerns.
Ironically, many good employees leave companies precisely because of this:
Egotistical, narcissistic bosses think they’re “too smart” or “too superior” to be questioned or challenged.
Please, don’t be that person, all you’ll do is DESTROY rapport, camaraderie, and loyalty, which will ultimately come back to hurt you more than them when they leave you and you’re stuck with the mess you created.
By investing that extra time and energy, even if you don’t always implement every suggestion or opinion, your teams will often feel more heard, and consequently, respect you more for letting them voice their ideas, which can lead to stronger team loyalty, rapport, and ultimately, productivity = Win-win.
✅ Develop your social skills and cultural awareness:
How do your audience’s culture, background, and demographics influence their perception of you and your message?
What should you do if you notice your team is starting to get tense or uneasy? What if they appear confused?
Based on their cultural backgrounds, are your team members more likely to remain silent and not express their ideas?
Are they more likely to energetically jump right into the conversation and share their stances explicitly?
Do they generally take their time and make decisions slowly? Do they prefer to “waste no time” and make a decision as soon as possible?
Are they more aggressive in their negotiation styles, often pushing you to make a certain decision?
Or are they more analytical, carefully listening to every word you say, letting you do all the talking, then patiently speaking and “striking” once they believe the moment is “right”?
People are diverse, not only culturally, but also personality-wise.
DON’T just “fly through” your presentation and assume or hope your audience understands and or agrees with everything you’ve just stated.
Be brave, be strategic, communicate, ask questions, and encourage THEM TO ASK YOU questions. Promote open, raw dialogue.
Insecure people who are not confident in themselves often prohibit others from questioning their ideas, opinions, positions, and often intimidate the other parties into simply “submitting” to their way.
Confident, capable, and strong leaders WELCOME a challenge, KNOW what value they bring to the table, DON’T PLAY trivial games just to try to “look good”, and PROMOTE communication and empathy.
There is so much more we could dive into with all of this, but I’ll just leave it at that for today.
If your goals are to present and communicate more confidently, effectively, and professionally, don’t just focus on your English, focus on your business communication skills in English.
The ROI is way higher, For you AND your audience.
Carlos
PS. In addition to my website articles, there are 3 ways I can help you:
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2. These are all the exact things I help my own clients with in my Premium Digital Course, the Career Accelerator. Over the course of just 4 weeks, I help managers and directors at Global Life Science Companies use their English communication skills more clearly, confidently, and professionally at work in order to land more promotions and advance their careers. If you want all the details of how I’m helping life science managers every week, how I can help you, and want to check out some client success stories, click here.
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