One of my clients told me how frustrated he was, not being able to communicate efficiently in meetings. His English is alright. Not perfect, but good enough to work, to do his job, to get results. Yet in meetings with British colleagues, he felt something was off. He felt like lacking precision, impact, and influence.

So naturally, he blamed his English. He felt like he needed more vocabulary, better phrasing, sharper words to get his point across.

As I listened, trying to understand exactly what he struggled with, what he thought he couldn’t say. He then told me something extremely interesting:

“With the Germans, it’s easy. Straight to the point, clear. With the Swedish, at first they always say no, but then we manage to work together. With the British... I never know what they actually want. It’s unclear and blurry.”

He assumed that because English is their mother tongue, his weakness had to be his English. But I had just finished a cross-cultural training on the Lewis Model, and listening to him, it hit me: his problem wasn’t just the language. It was the culture behind it.

Speaking a common language on the international stage is only half the story. Behind every English sentence stands a person shaped by a nation, a history, a set of unwritten rules. To truly communicate, you also have to hear what’s behind the words.

Take the moment when British may say “that’s an interesting idea.” You understand every word. But it may not mean what you think it means.

Richard Lewis, who spent decades mapping how nations communicate differently, describes the British as a culture that avoids confrontation and doesn’t like to rock the boat. So “interesting” can quietly mean “I don’t think this will work.” Whereas a German, saying the same thing, actually means every single word he says.

Or picture a smooth business conversation in English with a Japanese partner, right up until you blow your nose in front of them. To them, that’s deeply disrespectful, and it could cool a relationship you thought was going well. Again: not a language issue. A culture issue.

PS: If this resonates, I now run workshops on cross-cultural communication for international teams. Contact me if you want to know more about it.

Speak English like a Leader - Weekly challenge

Today speak like Dr. Tracey Marks who said: “then there is social awareness which is the ability to read the room.” (Listen to her ➡️ 1:52)

Example: “I could tell the team was getting uncomfortable, so I read the room and decided not to push the idea any further.”

Your challenge: use it in a sentence and share it with me. I would love to read it.

That’s it!

Thank you for reading till the end,

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

In any working environment, at some point, you need to give instructions.

And the quality of your work and leadership will also be expressed in the way you give them.

Not only the quality, but also the impact.

One of my clients works in an international firm and he told me that he lacks the ability to express himself with more precision, more nuance and impact.

If you face a similar challenge, one solution is to stop for a second (like we are doing here) and look at ways you can better communicate instructions.

Because language is flexible.

There isn’t ONE perfect way to say something.

So consider this as guidance to help you widen your range and expand the way you express yourself professionally in English.

That’s why today, we will focus on 7 things you can do to give instructions like a leader in English.

1. Mind your manners

Being a leader doesn’t mean giving orders all day.

Compare:

“Send me the report by 3.”

with:

“Could you send me the report by 3, please?”

Or:

“I’d like you to send me the report by 3.”

They can all communicate the same expected action, but they don’t create exactly the same effect.

In English, could you and would you are commonly used to make requests more polite and less direct.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

But...

2. Don’t be so polite that your instruction disappears

This is where nuance matters.

There is a difference between:

“Maybe we could possibly send the report by Friday?”

and:

“Please send me the final version by Friday.”

The first sounds like a suggestion.

The second makes the expectation clear.

Good leadership communication isn’t about making everything softer.

Sometimes you need to be polite.

Sometimes you need to be direct.

You need to know the difference.

3. Give the WHAT, WHEN and WHY

“Can you work on the presentation?”

Okay...

But what exactly do you want me to do?

Try:

“Can you update slides 5 to 10 and send me the final version by Thursday at 2 p.m.? I want to review it before the client meeting.”

Now I know:

WHAT → update slides 5 to 10.

WHEN → Thursday at 2 p.m.

WHY → you need to review it before the meeting.

Clear expectations around the quality and timing of work are an important part of effective workplace communication.

And as a bonus, you will probably spend less time going back and forth afterwards.

4. Give priorities, not just tasks

This one is particularly important when you lead.

Your team doesn’t only need to know what to do.

They need to know what matters most.

For example:

“The priority today is the client proposal. The internal report can wait until tomorrow.”

Or:

“Focus on getting the numbers right first. We can work on the design afterwards.”

Or simply:

“If you only have time for one thing today, make it this.”

You’re not only giving an instruction you are also giving direction.

5. Be clear about the level of autonomy

Sometimes you want someone to execute.

Sometimes you want them to think.

Make that clear too.

For instance:

“Have a first go and come back to me with your recommendation.”

“I’d like you to take the lead on this.”

“Check with me before sending the final version.”

“Use your judgement and let me know what you decide.”

Those are four very different instructions communicating four different levels of autonomy.

6. Check alignment

Giving an instruction doesn’t automatically mean the other person understood what you meant.

Especially when you’re working internationally.

So before moving on, you can simply say:

“Is anything unclear?”

“Are you comfortable taking this forward?”

“Have you got any questions?”

Or ask them to confirm the next step:

“So, what are we agreeing on?”

In this way, you will make sure you leave the conversation with the same understanding.

7. Mind the culture

And finally, you will communicate with more efficiency, impact and accuracy if you bear culture in mind.

Because giving instructions to a British colleague may not work exactly the same way as giving instructions to a Spanish colleague.

A sentence that sounds perfectly clear to you may sound too direct to someone else.

And a request you think is polite may sound so indirect that the other person doesn’t even realise you are asking them to do something.

So don’t learn one “professional” sentence and use it everywhere.

Observe.

Listen.

Adapt.

And if you need help, let’s talk about it.

click here

PS: Next week, we will talk about how communication goes beyond culture.

Speak English Like a Leader – Weekly Challenge

Today, speak like President Obama who said: “in each of these cases, I had to strike the right balance between transparency and national security” (Listen here 35:39)

Other examples:

• As a leader, you need to strike the right balance between giving clear direction and leaving space for autonomy.

• The key is to strike the right balance between clarity and kindness.

Your challenge: use it in a sentence and share it. I would love to read it.

That’s it!

Thank you for reading till the end,

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

This episode is for you if you sometimes feel bad about your English. Like an impostor and you want 7 steps to overcome it… just like my client who confessed this to me when we first met:

“In French when I doubt myself, I can stay grounded. I can keep my leadership. I can stand firm and continue with my plan of action.
But in English, it’s different.
In English, I start questioning myself.

• Am I making myself understood?

• Did I say what I really wanted to say?

• Did I say it correctly?

• Do I sound credible?

• Am I legitimate enough to speak?
  

I know the words. I’ve studied English. I listen to podcasts in English. But when I have to speak in an important moment, my thoughts feel disorganised.

I search for my words.

I make grammar mistakes.

I don’t feel fluent.

I feel too hesitant.

I’m afraid my English will discredit me.
In French, I feel charismatic. I feel equipped. But in English, I sometimes feel like I lose that part of myself.
I feel like I’m not good enough.

I feel like I don’t deserve to speak up.

I feel like I’m not legitimate.

I lose my confidence.

And what scares me is that English is becoming a leadership tool in my environment. If I’m not comfortable in English, I’m afraid people will question my credibility, my decisions, or my authority.
I don’t want people to think, “Oh, she’s struggling.”
I want them to hear my message.
I don’t want English to make me smaller than I am.”

If you feel like that, I understand. Speaking a second language can be intimidating especially when it affects your career, your goals, and your ambitions.

Through this episode, I’d like to create a shift in you, a change that will boost your confidence.

Let me give you some examples of 7 useful truths to overcome feeling like an imposter in English.

1. You are an expert in your area, whatever the language. If you have 10 years of experience in Finance, you have them, period.

2. If you have the opportunity to speak in English, it means you have something valuable to share. Focus on that value.

3. This deserves a separate point: always focus on the message you want to communicate. People will forget the words you used and the mistakes you made, but they will remember how you made them feel and the value they received.

4. Accept that English is not your first language. You won’t speak it exactly like your first language even at a high level. This is OK. Plus, it’s a fact: your first language and English are different. They have a different vibe.

5. When we feel like an imposter, we often focus on our flaws. Change this habit. Learn to highlight what you are already doing well in English. So pause for a second: what are you already doing successfully in English? Keep a record of all the great things you’ve done in English.

6. That being said, check negative self-talk. Remember: we focus on what is true AND useful. Notice when you’re not helping yourself. If you catch yourself thinking “I am terrible at speaking English”, think instead something like: “I am learning and progressing. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve”.

7. You may think: “But I still have many things I need to improve.” Then make an objective assessment. What exactly do you need to improve, and what can you do about it? Focus on that. Don’t fall into the trap of fake productivity practising your English without tackling what truly matters.

And if you need help, reach out to me by clicking here or replying to this email.

Speak English Like a leader - Weekly Challenge

Speak like Leaders from the Women’s Agricultural Leadership Summit who said :

Other examples:

• “Don’t second-guess yourself, your recommendation is solid.”

• “I second-guessed myself in the meeting and lost my flow.”

Your challenge: use it in a sentence and share it with me. I would love to read it.

That’s it!

Thank you for reading till the end,

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

PS: next week, we will talk about how to give instructions in English like a leader.

Maybe, like many professionals I work with, you already have a good position.

But you’re aiming higher : director, VP, C-level,..

And one question keeps coming back:

“Is my English good enough?”

Recently, I was reading leadership and executive material from Ethan Evans, former Amazon executive.

One idea really stood out.

At executive level, people are not mainly judging:

• your accent

• your grammar

• whether you know sophisticated vocabulary

They’re asking themselves something very different:

“Would I trust this person to lead?”

That changes everything.

Otherwise said, executive English isn’t about perfect English.

It’s about the following —>

1. Executive communication is clear

One mistake many professionals make is trying to sound impressive.

Executive communication isn’t impressive. It’s clear.

Don’t go all over the place when explaining something.

For instance,

Instead of:

“There are many aspects we should probably consider...”

Try:

“I’d focus on three priorities.”

or

“The biggest challenge is...”

or

“My recommendation would be...”

At executive level, clarity beats complexity.

2. Executive communication is structured

Another important element is that executive communication is highly structured.

Leaders know how to organise their ideas.

For example, instead of jumping from one idea to another, they often guide the listener through their thinking.

Using structures like:

“There are three reasons.”

“Let me break this down into two parts.”

“I’d approach this in three steps.”

“There are two trade-offs we need to consider.”

Simple.

But incredibly effective.

These kinds of frameworks help your audience follow your thinking.

And they also help you think more clearly in English.

3. Executive communication is supported by stories

Prepare (your best) stories.

Think about moments where you:

• led a transformation

• handled a crisis

• influenced senior stakeholders

• made a difficult decision

• failed and learned

• delivered measurable business results

Then use a structure to share them:

“The context was...”

“The business challenge was...”

“My decision was...”

“The trade-off was...”

“The result was...”

“What I learned was...”

It helps the interviewer follow your story and it prevents you from rambling, especially when English isn’t your first language.

And ultimately, it gives concrete evidence of how you think, make decisions, and lead.

4. Executive communication is calm

It’s ok to sometimes “look for your words”, what’s important is to keep your composure.

What you can is to prepare some “recovery phrases.”

For example:

“Let me rephrase that.”

“The essence is...”

“Let me put that differently.”

5. Executive communication is about business

One thing I found particularly interesting is the type of questions executives are asked.

Not just generic questions like:

“What’s your biggest weakness?”

But questions like:

• What would you do in your first 100 days?

• Tell me about a decision that was unpopular.

• How do you create accountability?

• How do you handle disagreement with your CEO?

• What’s your leadership philosophy?

These questions aren’t testing your English.

They’re testing your judgement.

They’re testing whether you think beyond your department.

Whether you can think for the company.

6. Speak like an executive, not like an English learner.

To speak like an executive is about preparing how you communicate your expertise and experience.

How you structure ideas.

How you make decisions visible.

How you explain trade-offs.

How you inspire confidence.

Because ultimately, people won’t remember whether you used the perfect expression or “word”.

They’ll remember whether they trusted you.

If you need help to speak like an executive, let’s talk about it.

Click here

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week speak like Steven Neil Kaplan, professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, Chicago Booth, University of Chicago.

Who said: “there is a trade-off between being agreeable and being execution oriented. (Listen 7:55)

Another example: “The trade-off was speed versus quality.”

Your challenge, use it in a sentence and share it to me, I would love to read it.

That’s it!

Thank you for reading till the end,

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

PS: next week, I’ll talk about overcoming the imposter syndrome when talking English. Stay tuned!

One thing I often notice is that many professionals think the solution to improving their English is simply more.

More vocabulary, more grammar, more hours, more courses, more practice.

And yes.

of course to a certain extent, that’s true.

But after a while, more doesn’t necessarily mean better.

Because you can spend hundreds of hours learning English without improving the way you actually communicate.

Maybe you’ve already accumulated:

• years of English at school

• online courses

• language apps

• podcasts

• TV series

• even a stay abroad

And yet when it’s time to speak during a meeting, respond on the spot, or explain a complex idea, you still don’t feel fully yourself.

Why?

Because we often think that it is a question of time and effort only, while it’s a matter of focus.

Many professionals keep adding more hours.

Very few ask themselves: are these the right hours?

So you may, think, Oh Really, what do I need?

Well,…

1. The right focus

You don’t need to learn everything.

You need to learn what matters to you.

The English you need depends on:

• your role

• your meetings

• your conversations

• your challenges

If you spend hours learning vocabulary you’ll never use those hours won’t help you when you need to lead a meeting or explain your ideas.

As I often say: Less is more.

Focus on what helps you think, communicate and perform in English in your context. Not everything.

2. The right method

Even the best content won’t help if the method doesn’t fit the way you learn.

Some people need visuals, other needs lots of writing, others prefer listening as much as possible.

Some need all three.

The goal isn’t to find the “best” method.

It’s to find the one that actually makes you progress AND take action.

3. The right mindset

This one is often underestimated.

You can have the best content and the best method.

But if your attention is constantly on:

“What if I make a mistake?”

“What if I don’t find the right word?”

“What if they think my English isn’t good enough?”

...part of your brain is busy managing fear instead of communicating.

And that changes everything.

Because what you believe influences how you learn.

It influences what you notice, what you remember, and ultimately how you perform and speak English.

That’s why improving your English is not only linguistic. It is cognitive, emotional, and strategic.

And if you feel like you’ve already spent years learning English but your English still doesn’t reflect your expertise, leadership or ambition...

We need to talk

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week speak like Debbie Millman, writer, designer, educator, artist, brand consultant, and Ted Speaker.

Real example: It’s our responsibility to continue to leverage the democratic power branding provides, and it is our responsibility to design the kind of culture that reflects and honors the kind of world we want to live in. (Listen 13:47)

Other example: “Leverage your meetings to practice English.”

That’s it for today,

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English Like a Leader

PS: next week, we will see what you truly need for an interview to land a C-level position. You do not need a perfect English that’s not what recruiters are after. The tips will be drawn from Amazon VP who led thousands of interviews for high level positions.

At the time of publishing this edition, I’m enjoying some time off with my family. I flew from Madrid to Brussels to visit them, and we’re staying in the countryside in the Netherlands.

Anyway, why am I telling you this?

Because talking about your holidays matters. Even in professional conversations.

Many professionals think they need more advanced, sophisticated English.

But what you really need is to connect with others, communicate your message, and build trust often between meetings, not during presentations.

And yes, it can start with something as simple as talking about your holidays.

Here’s what I mean.

I spent a few days in Belgium catching up with my family. It was nice to disconnect for a while in the countryside, away from the noise.

Notice what happened.

In just two sentences, you’ve learned that:

• I went to Belgium and the Netherlands.

• Family is important to me.

• I enjoy disconnecting.

• I like nature.

You know a little more about me now. Maybe you even relate to me.

That’s exactly what good small talk does.
So next time you meet someone during or after the holiday season, ask them about their holidays then briefly share yours.

Here are some key words and expressions you can start using to tell better holiday stories:

• I spent...

• I headed to...

• I took some time off.

• I switched off.

• I caught up with...

• The highlight was...

• One thing that surprised me...

• We ended up...

• It was exactly what I needed.

And if you’d like more key phrases to help you survive in business English, I created the Business English Survival Kit (the BEST), designed to equip you for all the situations that really matter.

I want the BEST

Speak English Like a Leader – Weekly Challenge

Today, speak like Laura Vanderkam, writer, author and speaker.

Real example:

“...and I finally do catch up with her.” (Listen 4:24)

Your challenge:

Use catch up in a sentence while answering this question:

How was your holiday?

That’s it for today.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

PS: Next week, we’ll talk about something that might surprise you. You probably don’t need more hours of English. You need better ones. Because you can spend hundreds of hours learning English and still not reach your goal. Many of us experienced exactly that at school. What makes the difference isn’t always the number of hours. It’s how you use them. And I will tell you more about it.

I am a native French speaker. At some point in my life, I couldn’t speak English.

Today, native speakers are often surprised when I tell them French is my mother tongue. They say I blend in (though I still have a bit of my own accent).

Don’t get me wrong. The goal isn’t to sound like a native speaker. The goal is to be understood and to efficiently communicate your message.

That being said, I personally LOVE the English language.

My personal dream was to sound like I was from London (haha).

I wanted to live there and build my career there. It actually happened but my life took another turn.

Anyway, that’s a story for another time.

Today, my English sounds clear and professional. And honestly, it has given me credibility and opened doors simply because of the way I sound.

Here’s what helped me to... Really speak and sound Like a Leader.

1. Accept sounding awkward

Or at least having the feeling that you sound awkward (or like an idiot).

Let me tell you something.

When you’re learning a language, you don’t have a choice.

You have to go through the awkward stage.

You need to accept that you won’t always sound good or accurate (even at an advanced level).

And that’s perfectly fine.

2. Copy

Honestly, I’m just a very good copycat.

Whenever I heard a word or expression, I tried to imitate it as closely as I could.

Not just the pronunciation.

Everything.

• Copy individual words. (Checking them regularly with online dictionaries)

• Copy entire phrases.

• Copy the intonation.

• Copy the rhythm.

• Copy the stress.

That’s how you train your ear, your mouth, and your voice to sound good in English.

3. Act

Here’s another thing, I genuinely believe the best language learners are good actors.

At first, your new pronunciation won’t sound “like you”.

It may even feel fake. If that’s how you feel, you’re probably on the right track.

Every language has its own music. Its own sounds. Its own rhythm.

You’re literally teaching your mouth to make movements it has never made before.

Of course it’s going to feel strange!

4. Embrace the awkwardness

Relax, have fun with it, laugh at yourself.

Don’t take yourself too seriously, even though we’re talking here about Speaking English Like a Leader.

Because becoming comfortable in English is about developing all the facets of yourself in that language.

You’re not just a professional. You’re a person with emotions, humour, personality, preferences,…

Bring that person into your English too.

Do these 4 steps. Do it for real. And I guarantee you WILL improve.

If you need help to not only sound like a leader, but also communicate like one in English.

Let's talk

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week, speak like Adam Galinsky, psychologist and TED speaker.

Real example:

“One of the ways we can come across as an expert is by tapping into our passion.” (Listen 12:17)

Other examples:

• I want to come across as confident.

• You came across as very professional in that meeting.

That’s it for today!

Thank you for reading until the end.

Until next time, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English Like a Leader

PS: next week, I will tell you about how good communicators know how to build relationships through everyday conversations. How to do it using your holidays. Because speaking English like a leader is about building trust even in between business meetings.

Today, I would like to share concrete tips that you can apply right now in less than 5 minutes to practice your English speaking fluency.

By the way, I hope you’re surviving the heat wave. 🥵

Anyway!

5 ideas to practice in 2–5 minutes a day (and actually see results)

1. Writing in English

Especially in the era of AI, writing by yourself for less than 5 minutes will make a huge difference.

Write about a current challenge, your goals, one dream, how you’re feeling.

It trains you to think in English while staying calm and not in a rush. Then you’ll be better at doing it under pressure. And when you have to speak, you’ll think faster and feel more fluent.

2. Reading comments on social media

This one is gold. I do it all the time, naturally and automatically.

It’s the best place to see “real” English the one people actually use: how they react, which expressions are trending, the informal tone.

Working on your casual English is important too: it helps you let go of the pressure of “professional” English and connect with the language (and the people using it). You’ll gain confidence as you get more familiar with it.

3. Watching (or listening to) a short video in a smart way

This is something I personally do while learning Dutch. It has been extremely useful.

What I do. I listen to a 1–3 minute video, then I select a few words I want to integrate into my vocabulary. I write them down in my Notion learning hub with an example + the context.

This way, I enhance my vocabulary with words that are really used (and useful). I remember them thanks to context learning. This is backed up by neuroscience (and common sense) and it works so you can do it too in 5 minutes.

4. Speaking (1–3 minutes)

This is one of my favourites. You can do it anywhere, anytime.

Just start speaking in English about any topic for 1–2 minutes. Record yourself. Listen and notice what you liked and what you can improve. If you still have a minute, do it again.

I actually have a program that helps you do exactly that. It’s called 10-minute English.

The principle is simple. I send you a question, you answer, I send you feedback, you do it again taking my comments into account.

You significantly improve your English speaking fluency in less than 10 minutes a day. As Yohan testified:

Do you want to join? I’m opening 6 slots:

Join 10-minute English

Get 10% off 🎁 with the exclusive code for my newsletter readers: OHREALLYNEWS

5. Learning something in English

Pick a topic you genuinely want to learn. Then find people who talk about it in a way you find inspiring, interesting, and fascinating.

Follow them on social media so you can learn small bits at a time.

I do that with Dutch and it’s really helpful: it keeps you excited and consistent with practice.

Honestly, you can get more results from 5 focused minutes a day than from hours of English that are scattered, with no feedback, and not connected to your real-life context.

Speak English like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

Today, speak like James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits.

One word he uses a lot is compound.

Example: “1% better every day for a year will compound to nearly 38 times better.” (Listen here: 2:06)

This is a real example not a direct quote from James Clear but from someone explaining his book.

Your challenge: Use “compound” in a sentence. Share it in the comments on Substack or by replying to this email. I would love to read it!

Besoin d’aide pour passer à l’action et devenir 1% meilleur chaque jour pour parler anglais like a leader ?

Rejoins mon programme : 10-minute English 👉 ici.

Get 10% off 🎁 with the exclusive code for my newsletter readers: OHREALLYNEWS

That’s it for today!

Thank you and well done for reading until the end.

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

Thank you to the person who voted last week and said they prefer this newsletter in English. So today, I’m honouring that.

Now, let’s talk about something important if you want to sound more nuanced, credible, and natural in professional English:

The way you express certainty.

Because speaking like a leader is not always about sounding 100% sure.

It is about matching your language to your actual level of certainty.

If you are not completely sure, but you sound too certain, you may come across as overconfident or clueless1.

If you are sure, but you sound too hesitant, you may come across as unclear or insecure.

And if you can express the right level of certainty at the right moment, you sound much more trustworthy.

That is where hedging2 and assertive language come in.

1. When you are not completely sure

Use language that gives space for uncertainty.

For example:

• “It seems like…”

• “There’s a possibility that…”

• “It might be worth considering…”

• “One view is that…”

Example:

“It seems like the main issue is not the timeline, but the lack of alignment.”

This sounds more nuanced than: “the issue is the lack of alignment.”

2. When you are reasonably confident

This is the language you will probably use most of the time in professional conversations.

For example:

• “Based on what we know…”

• “The evidence suggests…”

• “In most cases…”

• “It’s likely that…”

Example: “Based on what we know, it’s likely that the delay comes from unclear ownership.”

3. When you are sure

Sometimes, you need to be clear and assertive.

For example:

• “This is the key issue.”

• “The data clearly shows…”

• “I’m confident that…”

• “The bottom line is…”3

Example: “the bottom line is that we need clearer responsibilities before moving forward.”

This is useful when you need to summarise, decide, or bring clarity.

A simple rule

Match your language to your level of certainty.

If you are exploring, use softer language.

If you are analysing, use balanced language.

If you are deciding, use clear and assertive language.

This is one of the things that can make your English sound more mature and more credible.

Si vous sentez que votre anglais ne reflète pas votre niveau d’expertise et vous voulez penser, parler et performer en anglais - avec le bon dosage de nuance et de certitude - faisons le premier pas et parlons-en (sans engagement).

let's talk

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week, choose one of these phrases and use it in a sentence:

• “It seems like…”

• “Based on what we know…”

• “The evidence suggests…”

• “I’m confident that…”

• “The bottom line is…”

That’s it for today,

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a leader

Hier, pendant mon live LinkedIn, quelqu’un m’a posé une question que j’entends très souvent :

“Comment faire pour mener une discussion fluide sans chercher du vocabulaire?”

(Et oui, j’écris cette édition à la dernière minute 😅. Et oui, je l’écris exceptionnellement en français parce que je teste une nouvelle manière de communiquer. Mais rassurez-vous : l’objectif reste le même. Vous aider à penser, parler et performer en anglais like a leader.)

Bref.

C’est une question qui revient souvent.

Et je pense qu’elle mérite qu’on s’y arrête.

Voici ce que j’ai répondu.

1. Ayez le bon focus

Quand on cherche ses mots, le réflexe est souvent de focaliser toute son attention sur... les mots.

Et c’est justement là que le problème commence.

Cela peut paraître contre-intuitif, mais plus vous vous accrochez au mot parfait, plus vous risquez de perdre en fluidité.

Parce que le véritable objectif d’une conversation n’est pas de trouver le “bon” mot.

Le véritable objectif est :

• de transmettre une idée

• de créer une connexion

• de faire passer un message

Autrement dit : votre mission n’est pas linguistique.

Elle est communicative.

Et ça change tout.

J’aime souvent rappeler une chose à mes clients :

Votre énergie va là où vous portez votre attention.1

Si votre attention est uniquement sur les mots que vous ne trouvez pas, vous allez ressentir de la frustration.

Si votre attention revient sur votre message et votre interlocuteur, vous serez souvent plus fluide et plus présent.

Et les mots viendront plus facilement.

2. Prenez un autre chemin

On reste parfois bloqué sur un mot comme si toute la conversation dépendait de lui.

Mais en réalité, il existe rarement une seule façon d’exprimer une idée.

Tous les chemins mènent à Rome.

Si un mot ne vous vient pas :

• utilisez un synonyme

• décrivez l’idée

• donnez un exemple

• reformulez autrement

Encore une fois :

Le but est de transmettre le message.

Pas de trouver le mot parfait.

Les communicants les plus efficaces ne sont pas toujours ceux qui ont le plus de vocabulaire.

Ce sont souvent ceux qui savent s’adapter et continuer à avancer malgré les imperfections.

3. Pratiquez de manière pertinente

Dans votre cerveau, les mots ne sont pas rangés dans un dictionnaire.

Ils sont reliés entre eux par des réseaux de connexions.

Plus vous utilisez certains mots, certaines expressions et certains sujets, plus ces connexions se renforcent.

Et plus l’accès à ces mots devient rapide.

C’est aussi pour cela que je crois beaucoup au principe du :

Less is more (and better).

Au lieu d’essayer d’apprendre un peu de tout, concentrez-vous sur des sujets qui sont réellement pertinents pour vous.

Une astuce simple :

Choisissez un sujet qui vous intéresse ou qui revient souvent dans votre vie professionnelle.

Placez-le au centre d’une feuille.

Puis créez une carte mentale (en anglais) avec :

• les sous-thèmes

• les idées importantes

• le vocabulaire associé

• les questions que vous pourriez avoir à traiter

Ensuite, entraînez-vous à parler de ce sujet à voix haute.

Encore et encore.

Parce que la fluidité ne vient pas seulement de ce que vous savez.

Elle vient surtout de ce que vous pratiquez.

Et si vous sentez que votre anglais ne reflète pas votre expertise et que vous avez besoin d’aide pour vous entraîner à penser, parler et performer en anglais, il faut qu’on parle.

Let's talk

Petite question pour vous

Cette édition est la première que j’écris principalement en français.

À l’origine, cette newsletter avait pour objectif de vous immerger davantage dans l’anglais.

Mais pour qu’elle soit plus utile, j’expérimente un nouveau format : les explications en français, avec les exemples et la pratique en anglais.

Qu’en pensez-vous ?

👉 Répondez au sondage ou partagez-moi votre avis en répondant à cet e-mail ou en commentaire sur Substack. Je lis tous vos retours avec attention.

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

Today speak like Ted-Ed Educator and writer, Jodie Houlston-Lau by learning how to use the word “convey”.

Example:

“What message you’d like to convey that you can’t say directly?” - Real example from, Ted-Ed Educator & writer, Jodie Houlston-Lau, Listen 4:06 )

Your challenge

Utilisez le mot convey dans une phrase.

Partagez-la en commentaire sur Substack ou répondez directement à cet email.

Si vous avez aimé cette édition, n’hésitez pas à cliquer sur le ❤️ afin que davantage de personnes puissent la découvrir.

Subscribe now

That’s it for today,

until next week, take care

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a leader

One thing I often notice with professionals speaking English is this:

Many of them rely heavily on the word “please”.

And of course, “please” is important.

Politeness matters.

Especially in professional and international environments.

But when you always use the exact same word, your communication can start sounding:

• repetitive

• less natural

• less nuanced

One way to sound more fluid and polished in English is simply to diversify the way you ask for things.

So here are a few alternatives to “please” that are often used in professional communication.

1. “Would you mind…?”

Very useful when you want to sound polite and collaborative.

Example:

“Would you mind sending me the updated version?”

2. “If you could…”

Simple, professional, and very common in meetings/emails.

Example:

“If you could share the figures before tomorrow, that would be great.”

3. “Would you be so kind as to…”

A bit more formal.

Example:

“Would you be so kind as to confirm receipt of the document?”

4. “I’d appreciate it if…”

Excellent for sounding professional and diplomatic.

Example:

“I’d appreciate it if you could keep me updated.”

5. “Could you possibly…”

Softens the request and sounds more natural.

Example:

“Could you possibly send it by the end of the day?”

The goal is not to sound “more advanced”.

The goal is to sound:

• more natural

• more nuanced

• and more intentional in the way you communicate.

Because speaking English like a leader is often less about using complicated words and more about communicating with clarity, nuance, and emotional intelligence.

Et si vous sentez que votre anglais ne reflète pas votre expertise et que vous voulez penser, parler, et performer en anglais like a leader, il faut qu’on parle.

Let's talk

Si vous voulez quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer vous conversations au travail, réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien, ce kit clé en main vous aidera.

The B.E.S.T. (kit)

Speak English like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week use one of these alternatives in a sentence. Share it in the comment section on Substack or by replying to this email. I would love to read it.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi à Oh Really -Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

Hello dear, it’s Oh Really,

I am currently helping one of my clients improve her presentation skills in English. One thing we are working on is the way she sounds. We improved it by helping her add vocal variety and stress.

You can do it too and obtain quick results.

Stress means to emphasize a sound/syllable or word.

To add more colour and make you more pleasant to listen to, use it.

For example:

Say: TODAY, we are going to speak about SPEAKING English like a leader.

instead of: today, we are going to speak about speaking English like a leader.

Another example:

Say: I asked YOU to RELAX before the presentation.

instead of: I asked you to relax before the presentation.

Another thing to pay attention to is the stress inside one word. You’ll instantly have a better pronunciation if you use the correct stress. When in doubt, check a dictionary that marks stress (Cambridge Dictionary / Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries both do). See the apostrophe / stress mark before the stressed syllable (e.g., /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt/ for important).

I make your work easy: here are 20 words French speakers often stress on the “French” way (too late in the word). Stress the CAPITAL syllable:

1. Important → imPORtant (not imporTANT)

2. Comparison → comPARison (not comparIson)

3. Comfortable → COMFtable (not comforTAble)

4. Interesting → INteresting (not interESTing)

5. Especially → esPEcially (not espeCIAlly)

6. Actually → ACtually (not acTUally)

7. Usually → USually (not usuALly)

8. Generally → GEnerally (not geneRAlly)

9. Finally → FI-nally (not fiNALly)

10. Definitely → DEFinitely (not defiNITely)

11. Probably → PROBably (not proBABly)

12. Economy → eCONomy (not ecoNOmy)

13. Political → poLItical (not poliTIcal)

14. Development → deVELopment (not developMENT)

15. Responsibility → responSIbility (not responsibiliTY)

16. Opportunity → opporTUnity (not opportuNIty)

17. Communication → communiCAtion (not communicaTION)

18. Technology → techNOlogy (not technoLOgy)

19. Culture → CULture (not culTURE)

20. Company → COMpany (not comPAny)

Et si vous sentez que votre anglais ne reflète pas votre expertise et que vous voulez penser, parler, et performer en anglais like a leader, il faut qu’on parle.

Let's talk

Si vous voulez quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer vos conversations au travail, réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien, ce kit clé en main vous aidera.

The B.E.S.T. (kit)

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week, speak like Lori Gottlieb, psychotherapist, New York Times bestselling author, TED Speaker, co-host of the popular “Dear Therapists” and “Since You Asked” podcasts, and “Ask the Therapist” columnist for The New York Times.

Real example from Lori Gottlieb’s TED Talk: “Depending on what they emphasize or minimize, what they leave in, what they leave out, what they see and want me to see, they tell their stories in a particular way.” (Listen 2:50). (Listen to how she emphasizes “emphasize” and other words ;) )

Your turn! Use “emphasize” in a sentence. Share it in the comments on Substack or by replying to this email. I would love to read it and give some feedback.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi à Oh Really -Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

Perhaps, as one of my client, you deal with comparing yourself to someone who speaks better English and it makes you uncomfortable.

Maybe this person is younger than you, or at the same stage as you but in English, they just look and sound better than you. And it creates that little feeling of unease.

You compare yourself, and it impacts your confidence when you speak.

If this is the case: it’s normal.

To be honest, you can’t really help comparing yourself to others. It’s part of the way our brain functions.

And that’s what we’re going to look at today.

Why it happens (and why it feels intense)

According to Leon Festinger, a psychologist, humans can’t define themselves independently.

So when you see someone who is similar to you but different, you notice the difference. You notice a gap.

And your brain can treat that gap as a physical threat.

That’s why you can feel unease or discomfort when:

• you hear someone speaking better English than you, or

• someone gets a promotion, or

• someone buys a new house when you’re still renting.

This is normal.

A social comparison mechanism activates in the background, basically asking:

“Am I safe?”

“Am I okay?”

How to make comparison work for you (instead of against you)

Comparison can become an obstacle to your wellbeing but also to your ability to speak, think, and perform in English like a leader.

And the biggest obstacle is often not the comparison itself.

It’s your inner voice.

It’s what your mind does with the comparison.

So here are 3 ways to shift your response.

1) Treat comparison as information (actionable data)

When you’re triggered, when you notice you’re comparing yourself, pause for a moment and ask:

• What is it indicating?

• What is it saying?

• Why am I feeling this way?

• What can I do about it?

Not to judge yourself. Just to extract information.

2) Turn it into inspiration (even when it doesn’t happen naturally)

Sometimes comparison is positive. That’s what we often call inspiration.

It’s when your brain reads the situation as:

“If they can do it, then I can do it.”

But if it’s not what happens naturally, if you feel miserable after comparing yourself then be intentional.

Go back to #1.

And ask: how can I transform this into motivation?

Maybe it’s pointing at something you deeply want but you’re not working on (yet).

Maybe it’s showing you what matters to you.

Maybe it’s telling you it’s time to move and find solutions.

3) Build internal security (reassure your brain)

When you compare yourself your brain is in threat mode:

“Am I safe?”

“Am I okay?”

“Am I below?”

“Am I going to survive this?”

So be intentional about reassuring your brain.

Ask yourself:

• What am I doing well already?

• What have I achieved?

And in the context of English: if you’re reading this newsletter, let me tell you something.

Well done.

Well done for reading in English.

For being able to follow.

For being intentional about it.

Your brain has a tendency to look at the gap, what is missing, as if it was the most important information.

But you have wins. Many wins. And you probably neglect them.

Chade-Meng Tan (author of Joy on Demand) gives an idea that I love: build the habit of moving what is in your “neutral” column into your “win” column.

Et si vous sentez que votre anglais ne reflète pas votre expertise et que vous voulez penser, parler, et performer en anglais like a leader, il faut qu’on parle.

Let's talk

Si vous voulez quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer vous conversations au travail, réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien, ce kit clé en main vous aidera.

The B.E.S.T. (kit)

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

This week speak like Robin Sharma, top leadership and personal mastery experts and speakers in the world.

Real example from Robin Sharma: “You have got to start with that first positive thought to recalibrate the neuro-circuits of negativity.” (Listen 27:16)

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi à Oh Really -Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

You probably do not need “more English”, more vocabulary, more advanced expressions, and more grammar exercises. At least, not in the way you think.

Because many professionals I work with already speak English.

They work internationally, lead meetings, manage teams, present ideas.

And yet, in English, they still feel:

• slower

• less nuanced

• less strategic

• less impactful

One of my clients, a head of marketing and entrepreneur, came to me with exactly that feeling. She already worked in English.

But she told me she did not feel fully herself professionally in English. She felt less sharp and less legitimate. Like an imposter.

After three months working together, she told me she communicates with more clarity and confidence, and positions herself much more as a leader in her role even in English.

Not because we focused only on “more English” words/vocabulary/grammar.

But because we worked on three essential dimensions.

1. Mindset

Where does your attention go when you speak English?

On mistakes?

On vocabulary?

On translating everything mentally?

Or on:

• your message

• your ideas

• the connection with the other person

• the value YOU bring to the conversation

This changes everything.

Because communication is not only linguistic.

It is cognitive and emotional too.

2. Toolset

Many professionals do not necessarily need more “English”.

They need better communication tools.

Tools to:

• structure ideas quickly

• improvise more calmly

• answer with more clarity

• communicate more strategically

• stay composed under pressure

My client told me these tools gave her quick wins almost immediately.

She started feeling more capable of answering and improvising in English with confidence because she finally had structures she could rely on.

3. Skillset

Then comes performance itself.

Because speaking English professionally is also a performance skill.

The ability to:

• think clearly

• speak clearly

• and perform under pressure

especially in high-stakes professional environments.

That is why I believe the goal is not to become “perfect” in English.

The goal is to think, speak, and perform more freely and effectively in English.

Speak English Like a Leader - Weekly Challenge

Here is a tool. Useful words that leaders actually use to speak English like a leader + practising in a relevant context.

Example from a Tedx talk: “I listen to their stories and I try to articulate and give them the words.” (Listen 8:38)

Example from Big Think: “but you will use that understanding to allow them to articulate their thoughts and feelings”. (Listen: 2:57)

Your challenge this week:

Use “articulate” in one sentence. Share it in the comments on Substack or by replying to this email. I would love to read it and give some feedback.

Et si toi aussi tu souhaites penser, parler, et performer en anglais pour gagner en impact, crédibilité, et aisance à l’international:

Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

Si tu veux quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer tes conversations au travail, réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien, ce kit t’aidera à savoir quoi dire, simplement.

Découvre le Business English Survival Kit

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi à Oh Really -Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

One thing I’ve noticed with many professionals learning English is this: They’ve become good at answering questions but not necessarily at asking great ones.

In our culture, in our education, and even in many corporate environments, we’re trained to respond, pass tests, prepare answers, and give the “right” reply.

But strong communication and strong leadership also comes from the ability to ask meaningful questions.

Because speaking like a leader is also the ability to guide conversations through questions.

This is something I’m currently working with one of my clients. During the diagnostics, we noticed that she struggled asking questions in English. And it’s a skill we decided to incorporate in our personalised learning plan. That’s why I’m sharing that with you, because you may recognise yourself in this too.

This is also part of one of the “C’s” of my 5 Cs method. One C is C for content. The quality of the content you focus on while improving your English makes all the difference. When your learning is aligned with real-life communication skills that actually matter professionally, your progress becomes more intentional, more efficient, and more impactful.

And asking questions is one of them.

So today, we’ll do two things:

• A quick recap on how to form questions in English (yes, a recap is necessary)

• Then, great questions to ask to lead more efficiently

My service

The Business English Survival Kit

1) Quick recap: how to form questions in English

Most questions in English follow one of these patterns:

1) Yes/No questions (auxiliary first)

Auxiliary + subject + base verb

• Do you work remotely?

• Did you speak to the client?

• Can you join the call?

For be, the verb moves before the subject:

• Are you available at 3?

• Was the deadline realistic?

2) Wh- questions (information questions)

Wh-word + auxiliary + subject + base verb

• What do you need from me?

• Where did the conversation break down?

• How can we simplify this?

For be:

• Why are we doing it this way?

• Who is responsible for this deliverable?

When who/what is the subject, you don’t add do:

• Who called you? (Not: Who did call you?)

• What happened?

3) Indirect questions (more diplomatic)

Use these when you want to sound softer:

• Could you tell me what the timeline is?

• Do you know if they’ve confirmed?

➡️ In indirect questions, the word order becomes statement order: “Could you tell me what the timeline is?” (Not: what is the timeline)

4) Tag questions (to confirm / check alignment)

Use a statement + short question:

• We’re aligned on the priority, aren’t we?

• You’ve seen the update, haven’t you?

5) Common mistakes

• Don’t forget the auxiliary: What you think? → What do you think?

• Watch prepositions: What are you working on? / Who are you speaking with?

2) How to ask great questions

Great questions don’t just “get information”. They create clarity, ownership, and better decisions. Research shows that curiosity and question-asking support learning and performance (e.g., Google’s Project Aristotle; Amy Edmondson’s work).

1) Questions that create clarity

• What problem are we solving and for whom?

• What does “success” look like in one sentence?

• What are we not doing right now?

2) Questions that improve decisions (without control)

• What options have we considered and what did we rule out?

• What assumptions are we making?

• What would make this plan fail?

3) Questions that build accountability (without blaming)

• What’s the next step, and who owns it?

• What do you need from me to move forward?

• By when can we check in again?

4) Questions that unlock insight

• What’s the real challenge here?

• What’s one thing you haven’t said yet that matters?

• If you had to choose one priority, what would it be and why?

5) Questions that build trust (especially cross-cultural)

• What’s your perspective on this?

• What matters most to you in this situation?

• How would you like us to work together on this?

A simple rule to lead with questions

Start open, then narrow.

Open to explore (“What’s happening?”) → narrow to decide (“Which option are we choosing?”) → close to commit (“What’s next, by when?”)

Speak like a leader weekly challenge.

Here is a word that leaders actually use to ask great questions.

Unpack

It means to explain something complex step by step so it becomes clearer.(break down/clarify). Can we unpack what’s behind that concern?

Real Example: I’m wondering if you can unpack that for me a little bit and tell me more about what’s there. (Listen 1:15)

Your challenge: write one sentence with this word. You can reply to this email or share it in the comments on Substack. I read them and give feedback.

Et si tu veux de(ver)rouiller ton anglais oral et gagner en impact, crédibilité et aisance:

Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

Si tu veux quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer tes conversations au travail — réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien — ce kit t’aidera à savoir quoi dire, simplement.

Découvre le Business English Survival Kit

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi to Really Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

I worked with a Head of Legal (Chloé) who had to step into an international role where everything was in English. She had a good level. But she lacked confidence, and nuance in how she communicated.

And before meetings, she would join the call early. Someone else would arrive. And she didn’t really know what to say.

The reflex when you have that feeling is: “I need more vocabulary, more expressions.”

And yes, it helps — to a certain extent.

But sometimes less is more.

Chloé had to negotiate, represent her company, handle important conversations. But before all that, she needed to know how to start.

And she had never really practiced that.

That is: small talk.

Small talk starts the minute you interact with someone. Before the Zoom call really begins. In the corridor. In those in-between moments.

And these moments matter more than you think.

Whether you work in legal, sales, or any role where you represent your company, those first minutes shape everything. They make speaking feel easier. They create connection. They change how people respond to you.

Before becoming a full-time English coach, I worked in international organisations. And I remember very clearly: many decisions were not made in the meeting itself.

They were shaped before. In informal conversations. In small talk.

A lot of business is enabled — or blocked — in those moments.

So in this newsletter, I want to give you concrete ways & key sentences to handle them.

With my clients, we always start with what they already know.

So with Chloé, we built a simple mind map with key categories and brainstormed what she could say.

As I can’t brainstorm with you directly through this newsletter,

here are key elements and sentences you can use to break the ice and connect in English.

First: opening lines.

• Situational ones — about the place, the moment, the weather, what’s happening.

  • “This place is impressive”.

  • “What a beautiful day!”

• Or simple things like a compliment.

  • “I love your jacket.”

• And also permission openers:

  • “Do you mind if I join you?”

  • “Is this seat taken?”

Then, basic questions. Not too deep — because you’re just starting the interaction.

• “How do you pronounce your name?”

• “Where are you from?”

• “How long have you been working here?”

Then, showing interest and listening.

• Simple reactions:

  • “Really?”

  • “That’s interesting.”

• And small signals that you’re engaged:

  • “I see.”

  • “Right.”

  • “Tell me more.”

And finding common ground:

• “Me too.”

• “Same here.”

Then you can go a bit further.

• “Can you give me more details about…?”

• “Do you have any recommendations?”

• “What are your plans?”

And finally, knowing how to end the conversation.

• “It was a pleasure to talk with you.”

• “Nice meeting you.”

• “I have to go, maybe I’ll see you later.”

These are simple sentences. But they change everything. They can help you sign a deal and connect to future opportunities.

With Chloe, we practiced them in real life situations similar to the ones she may face. As a result, it helped her feel more comfortable and connect to others in English.

Speak like a Leader - Weekly Challenge:

Here are real expressions that leaders actually use to navigate conversations, build connection, and create momentum in English.

1. To jump in

To enter a conversation naturally, especially in a meeting, without waiting too long or interrupting awkwardly.

Examples:

• I wanted to ask you just jump in before we move on. (Listen:16:58)

• I am going to jump in Tom,… (Listen:48:43)

2. To pick up on

To notice and respond to something someone said, showing that you are listening and engaging with the conversation.

Examples:

• I want to pick up on a theme embedded in your comments (Listen 10:52)

• Hooria, I would love to pick up on this idea. (Listen 12:43)

3. To follow up

To come back to someone or something after an initial conversation, to continue the exchange or move things forward.

Examples:

• To ask just one more follow-up and then I swear I’ll let you go. (Listen 38:26)

• I would love to just do a quick follow up on that (Listen 32:26)

Your challenge

Write one sentence using one of these expressions. You can reply to this email or share it in the comments on Substack. I read them and give feedback.

The best way to make progress with this, it’s to actually practice, and get feedback on how you sound.

So…

Si tu veux arrêter de bloquer dans ces moments où tu ne sais pas quoi dire, et te sentir plus à l’aise pour créer du lien en anglais:

Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

Si tu veux quelque chose de plus concret pour gérer tes conversations au travail — réunions, small talk, interactions du quotidien — ce kit t’aidera à savoir quoi dire, simplement.

Découvre le Business English Survival Kit

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi to Really Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

That is it for today!

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

You know you have ideas. But when it’s time to speak English, they don’t come out the way you want. I see this all the time with the people I work with.

“J’ai pleuré pendant un mois à cause de mon anglais.”

That’s what Amélie told me when we had just met. “Amélie” is not her real name, for confidentiality.

Two weeks later, she told me something completely different:

“It’s crazy how comfortable I feel when I speak English. I’m really impressed. I didn’t think I would progress that quickly.”

Same person.

But not the same experience anymore.

How did we do it?

It was not only a question of level.

And honestly, if we had worked the way most people do, nothing would have changed.

When we did her diagnostic, Amélie already had an intermediate level. She is a brilliant woman. She runs her own business, works as a CSR consultant, and leads ambitious projects.

So the problem was not: she has no English.

The problem was what happened in the seconds before she spoke.

She would panic.

She would get frustrated.

She would lose her words.

She would spend a lot of energy for results that felt disappointing.

And as she told me in French, speaking English felt like “limite une souffrance.”

That sentence told me a lot.

Because it showed me that this was not only about vocabulary or grammar.

So we did not start with the surface.

We started underneath.

We looked at what she was connecting English to each time she had to speak.

And very quickly, something important came up.

Back in school in France, she had an English exam. Her teacher had told the class that a certain topic would not come up. But on the day of the exam, that was the exact topic she got. And she was the only one questioned on it.

She wasn’t prepared.

She panicked.

She knew she was the only one to face it.

She felt the whole thing was unfair.

Amélie was a serious student. She usually did well. So standing there, in front of the examiner, unable to answer the way she wanted, felt deeply humiliating.

She cried over that experience for a month.

And since then, that moment had shaped the way she saw herself in English.

So every time she had to speak English as an adult, she was not only speaking English.

She was reconnecting to that old version of herself.

The one who felt ashamed.

The one who felt blocked.

The one who believed English was where she failed.

So of course speaking became hard.

Because she was not only trying to find words.

She was also carrying everything that experience had left in her mind.

It made me reflect on something I see all the time.

When someone is stuck in English, the first instinct is often to work on the visible part: more vocabulary, more grammar, more corrections.

But that is not always where real progress starts.

If you want to speak English like a leader, you cannot only work on the outside.

You also need to work on what is happening underneath.

Because your English performance is not only shaped by what you know.

If English is connected, in your mind, to shame, pressure, frustration, or failure, then speaking will automatically feel harder than it should.

Even if you already have the level.

Even if you are intelligent.

Even if you are fully capable of progressing.

So before trying to say more, say it better, or sound more fluent, look at what is happening in your mind.

The next time you need to speak, notice it.

That quick inner voice, the one that shows up before you even open your mouth.

And it comes fast. You don’t even question it. You just react to it.

If that voice says:

“You’re bad.”
“You’re not capable.”
“You’re going to mess this up.”

then that voice is not helping you perform.

It is working against you.

And that is where real work begins.

If you want to start working on this concretely, here are three expressions with real examples that leaders actually use when they manage their mindset and performance in English.

Speak like a Leader Challenge:

These are expressions you will hear in meetings, interviews, and leadership conversations and knowing how to use them changes how you come across immediately.

1. To reframe

To look at a situation, thought, or problem differently in a more useful and constructive way.

Example:
“Reframe your thinking to see the positive outcomes...” (Listen 2:20):

“How do we reframe these conversations and change the way we view each other fundamentally?” (Listen 2:10)

2. To hold yourself back

To stop yourself from doing something because of fear, doubt, or lack of confidence.

Example:

“The next time you want to hold yourself back because you don’t feel confident enough, will you choose courage and take the leap?” (Listen 3:16)

“It causes you to hold yourself back from achieving something you want” (Listen 5:18)

3. To build yourself up

To strengthen your confidence, your mindset, or the way you see yourself.

Example:
“The solution would be to find different ways to build yourself up and boost your self-confidence” (Listen 1:55)

“You you need time to learn and to build yourself up” (Listen 5:34)

Your challenge
Write one sentence you could actually use in your work this week using one of these expressions. You can share it in the comments. I read them and give feedback.

With Amélie, that reconnection was very concrete.

Instead of “I’m bad at English,” she started telling herself:
“I’m not where I want to be yet, but I can get there.”

Instead of panicking, she practised thinking:
“OK. I can stay calm. I can reformulate. I can manage.”

Instead of feeling ridiculous when she spoke English, she started reconnecting to a different thought:
“I’m proud that I’m actually daring to speak English.”

She also started seeing that school experience differently, in a way that could build her up instead of tearing her down.

And little by little, that changed everything.

It changed the way she approached English.
It changed the way she practised.
And it changed the way she performed.

We also worked on the other C’s content, context, clarity, and confidence. But without this first shift, her performance wouldn’t have changed.

That is why working only on vocabulary and grammar is sometimes not enough.

This is exactly the work I do with my clients.

Si tu veux arrêter de bloquer quand tu dois t’exprimer, et parler avec plus de clarté, de confiance, et d’impact c’est exactement ce que l’on travaille ensemble.

Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

Si tu as surtout besoin d’un soutien pratique pour gérer des situations professionnelles concrètes en anglais, ce kit t’aidera à communiquer avec plus de clarté, d’aisance et d’impact.

Découvre le Business English Survival Kit

Your level matters.

But it’s not what decides how you perform.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack.

& Abonne-toi to Really Speak English like a Leader

Subscribe now

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Speak English like a Leader

P.S.: Two people can have roughly the same level of English and perform in completely different ways. Not because one is “gifted” and the other is not. But because they are not activating the same thoughts, the same reflexes, or the same internal reactions when they speak.

Today, I want to welcome you behind the scenes of my business and talk about something I started doing again on February 26th, 2026: going live on LinkedIn.

I originally started a weekly LinkedIn Live series on January 22nd, 2025. The last one I had done was on May 28th, 2025 and then I stopped. Last year was a tough one for me (deep loss), and I needed time to refocus, regain energy, and honestly, want it again.

But here’s the truth: linkedIn is my main channel to get clients. And I love speaking.I love speaking English. So it makes sense to build a brand around Speaking English like a Leader and actually DOING it myself on a weekly basis. Besides, I have fun!

And if I’m completely honest: I also want to get better at public speaking.

The best way to do it is…. by doing it. Killing two birds with one stone! (=faire d’une pierre deux coups)

So in today’s newsletter, I want to do two things:

• bring you into the behind the scenes of my LinkedIn Lives,

• and give you practical tips to have virtual executive presence and speak live like a leader. Even if you don’t actually do livestreams.

Because you may have to speak English “live” on Zoom, on Google Meet, in online meetings, in a client call, during a presentation, in front of your boss.

But before that

• Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

• Découvre the Business English Survival kiT (the BEST)

• Oh Really – Speak English like a Leader décrypte chaque semaine comment les leaders, CEOs et entrepreneurs parlent vraiment anglais, à partir de vrais cas et ou/ vidéos réelles, pour t’aider à gagner en fluidité, crédibilité et impact. Abonne-toi pour ne rien rater.

  Oh Really - Speak English like a Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Behind the scenes of my lives (real talk)

Here is how I organise myself:

• I show up as myself. It doesn’t take me much effort to “connect”.

• The content is based on this newsletter.

• And yes, sometimes I literally have the newsletter open during the live and I read and speak it.

(so, if you want to practice your listening skills and interact with me, join me live every Wednesday at 1 pm on LinkedIn— or catch up with the replay)

But I want to improve:

• structure it better (like a real episode with a pattern),

• delivery: being more engaging and perhaps preparing a bit more with bullet points and or a mindmap.

But the greatest challenge will be to be consistent the whole year, week after week.

Business-wise, it already brought me leads and clients this year.

People literally told me: “I saw your video and contacted you.”

And even when I have only 1 to 4 people live (sometimes zero😭), the replays as of today get between 89 to 321 views.

So yep, it’s not much but it’s still worth it.

Going live is also one of the best ways for people to get to know me, hear my English, build trust, and feel my energy. Especially in the age of AI, showing up live (with your flaws) makes a difference.

5 tips to have virtual executive presence and speak “live” like a Leader in English.

First, what is “executive presence” (especially online)?

Executive presence is a “set of qualities that signals that you are in charge or deserve to be in charge.”*

It’s not about having a “perfect” English or accent. It’s about the combination of:

• what people can see (outer components): action, communication

• and what people can feel (inner component): confidence, credibility, calm, control (self-control meaning managing yourself, your attitude, your beliefs).

When you have executive presence, you are memorable, engaging, and you command the room.

So here are 5 tips to build executive presence and speak “live” (on camera) like a leader in English

As mentioned earlier, these tips are useful not only for livestreams but any situations where you may speak English virtually in front of your webcam or camera.

1. Use your body language (so you look and feel confident). Body language is as important as speaking English correctly so use it to your favour. Brain fact: studies show that an upright posture can increase confidence in your own thoughts (vs slouching= ne pas se tenir droit/être affalé) and help you feel stronger under stress.* Sit/stand tall, keep your shoulders open, and use calm gestures. And to create connection, look at the camera as much as possible.

2. Use “signposting” to sound clear, even when you’re nervous. In live situations, your brain goes fast. Structure keeps you in control. Use phrases like: “Today I want to cover three points… First… Second… Finally…”

3. Slow down and pause on purpose. Non-native speakers often speed up when stressed. Pauses DO sound confident not weak.

4. Use “leader language”: short sentences + strong verbs. When English is your second language, executive presence often comes from clarity. Choose short sentences, and use decisive verbs: “I recommend…”, “My point is…”, “Let’s decide…”, “What I need is…”. If you don’t know a word, don’t panic, breathe, rephrase and keep going.

5. Embrace authenticity, not perfection. Live is live (or should I say life is life). You will make micro mistakes. That’s not a problem. What matters is: keep going, stay present, and reconnect with your message. Speaking like a leader and developing executive presence is not about speaking perfectly it’s about transmitting a valuable & impactful message to your listeners.

Speak like a Leader — Weekly Challenge (including REAL examples with video link)

This week, enhance your vocabulary and speak like a leader using one of these expressions likely to be used during a live/online meeting.

The examples are real ones from leaders, Tedxtalks, Exclusive interviews, etc. You can click on the corresponding link to listen to them.

1. To chime in

To interrupt or speak in a conversation (often politely, without really interrupting)

Example: “I spoke to Rosie Stockley founder of Mamawell and women’s health expert to chime in on the benefits of getting eight and a half hours sleep.” Listen (0:43)

Example: “May I chime in?” Listen (28:33)

2. To walk people through (something)

To explain step-by-step, clearly and carefully.

Example: “The best way to understand this strategy is to walk through a couple of examples of how it’s working”. Listen (9:03)

Example: “Now, let’s walk through each of these steps”. Listen (0:28)

3. To wrap up

To conclude, to close the meeting/presentation

Example: “so just to wrap up, I would like to actually say that…” Listen (14:17)

Example: “So two further questions, and then I am going to wrap up and go into a discussion with you all”. Listen (31:41)

Your challenge: write one sentence using one of these words. Share it in the comments below, I would love to read it and give you some feedback.

That’s it for today.

Thank you — and well done — for reading until the end.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it. It also motivates me to continue.

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

*Sources for the curious minds:

Briñol, Petty & Wagner (2009), Body posture effects on self‑evaluation: A self‑validation approach (European Journal of Social Psychology).

Nair et al. (2015), Do slumped and upright postures affect stress responses? A randomized trial (Health Psychology / APA).

Dr Grace Lee, How to Develop Executive Presence and Command the Room With Confidence.

Let me make a confession.

My clients get quick results, more fluency and stronger leadership communication, not because they suddenly fix every mistake and become a walking dictionary.

They improve because we focus on the right words:

• words that fit their role and context

• words that make their message clearer

• words that help them sound credible and build trust

And here’s the good news: you can practice these phrases in advance.

Repeat them. Make them yours.

Then, little by little, they become part of your natural way of speaking.

Today, I want to draw your attention to trust-building phrases.

To build trust, avoid language that creates confusion:

• vague words (”soon”, “a bit”, “some stuff”)

• overly negative or absolute words (”never”, “always”, “this will fail”)

• jargon (sounds smart, but says nothing)

When you’re leading a project, a meeting, a negotiation, or a team, vague language doesn’t do justice to your position or expertise.

Clear language does.

Below are 7 phrases leaders use to build trust — with less effective version (that create confusion) and leader-like alternatives (that create clarity).

But before that

• Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

• Rejoins + de 20 utilisateurs de mon Business English Survival kiT (the BEST)

• Oh Really – Speak English like a Leader décrypte chaque semaine comment les leaders, CEOs et entrepreneurs parlent vraiment anglais, à partir de vrais cas et ou/ vidéos réelles, pour t’aider à gagner en fluidité, crédibilité et impact. Abonne-toi pour ne rien rater.

  Oh Really - Speak English like a Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

7 Phrases leaders use to build trust

1) “Let’s be specific: what does success look like?”

When to use: when someone is vague about goals, “impact”, “results”, or timelines.

Less effective version (confusing):

• “Let’s make an impact and move fast.”

Try this instead (clear):

“Let’s be specific: what does success look like for this project and by when?”

Why it works: Vague language creates misunderstandings, delays, and frustration. Precision makes execution easier.

2) “Help me understand your thinking.”

When to use: when you disagree, when a proposal surprises you, or when you want to reduce defensiveness.

Less effective version (shuts people down):

• “That doesn’t make sense.”

Try this instead (trust-building):

• “Help me understand your thinking.”

Other leader-like options:

• “Walk me through your thinking.”

• “Take me through your thinking.”

• “Take me through that experience.”

Real leader example:

In Lex Fridman’s interview with Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google/Alphabet), Lex uses the phrase:

exactly the kind of calm, high-status prompt leaders use to invite clarity instead of conflict.

Why it works: It signals curiosity over judgment. It opens the door to a real conversation.

3) “Let me make sure I understood: you’re saying ___, right?”

When to use: when there’s tension, complexity, or high stakes (meetings, negotiations, conflict).

Less effective version (risky):

• “Okay, got it.” (when you’re not 100% sure)

Try this instead (clarifying):

• “Let me make sure I understood: you’re saying ___, right?”

Why it works: Clarifying reduces misunderstandings and helps create a trusting environment especially when emotions or conflict are present.

4) “I could’ve explained that better. Let me rephrase.”

When to use: when someone looks confused, when your message didn’t land, or when you want to project calm confidence.

Less effective version (defensive):

• “It’s obvious.”

• “You’re not getting it.”

Try this instead (accountable):

• “I could’ve explained that better. Let me rephrase.”

Why it works: Strong leaders take ownership of being understood. It protects trust and keeps the conversation productive.

5) “Here’s what I know / here’s what I don’t know / here’s what I’ll do next.”

When to use: uncertainty, pressure, crisis moments or anytime you don’t have the full answer yet.

Less effective version (creates doubt):

• “I don’t know… we’ll see.”

Try this instead (transparent + steady):

• “Here’s what I know so far…. Here’s what I don’t know yet… Here’s what I’ll do next …. and when you’ll hear from me.”

Why it works: Clarity and steadiness are powerful leadership signals in uncertain times.

6) “I’m accountable for this. Here’s how I’m fixing it.”

When to use: mistakes, missed expectations, delays, quality issues anything that could damage trust.

Less effective version (looks like blame):

• “It wasn’t my fault.”

Try this instead (trust repair):

• “I’m accountable for this. Here’s how I’m fixing it.”

Why it works: Accountability protects credibility. It’s hard to trust someone who explains problems without owning the solution.

7) “What are your thoughts?”

When to use: decisions, feedback, alignment, and to build psychological safety.

Less effective version (commands compliance):

• “Just do it like this.”

Try this instead (invites ownership):

• “What are your thoughts?”

Why it works: It signals respect and makes people feel included which strengthens trust and engagement over time.

The (counterintuitive) truth

Native speakers don’t sound like leaders because they use “fancy English”.

They sound like leaders because they use clear English.

Simple words. Short sentences. Explicit structure.

Corporate jargon can create distance and hide meaning, plain language keeps you understood.

And vague expressions (like kind of, sort of, about, -ish) can soften your message but they can also reduce clarity if you overuse them.

Speak like a leader — weekly challenge

Pick one phrase above.

Use it in your next meeting.

Or practice it out loud once today.

That’s it for today!

Thank you and well done for reading until the end.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it. It also motivates me to continue.

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Your English Coach

A couple of weeks ago, a friend (Manu) sent me a message that I know many professionals can relate to.

He had just started a new job in an English-speaking environment.

And suddenly his speaking felt “gone”.

Not because he doesn’t know English.

But because when he had to speak, he felt stuck, slower, less fluent.

Here is his message:

I get it.

It is frustrating.

So I answered him (and if you’re asking yourself the same question as Manu, this is for you too).

Here is what I replied:

But before that

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• Découvre mes services de coaching en anglais

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  Oh Really - Speak English like a Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

My honest answer to Manu (with 4 practical tips)

First of all: it’s normal to feel that way.

It’s all about practice.

Without practicing, it’s even possible to lose a bit of your mother tongue, let alone a second language!

So if you feel rusty, it doesn’t mean your English is completely “gone”. It just means you need to reactivate it.

Secondly: since you’re in an English-speaking environment, you will get better “just” by being there.

But here’s the key:

Exposure helps you understand.

Practice helps you speak.

So here are the 4 things I told him to do.

1) Speak out loud every day (even for 3 minutes)

There’s no secret.

Even a few minutes a day makes a huge difference.

Speak out loud about:

• your day

• what you did

• your projects

• what you need to do next

Your mouth needs practice.

Little by little, you’ll feel your fluency come back.

2) Write your emails yourself (avoid AI for the first draft)

If you have to write emails or any type of texts, I encourage you to write them yourself (avoiding AI at least for the first version).

It helps a lot to sit and take the time to think about your sentences.

And later, it will help you speak more fluently because you train your brain to think faster in English again.

3) Practice speaking with ChatGPT (voice mode)

Another “new” tip I use with my clients: practice your speaking with ChatGPT.

Use the vocal mode and have a conversation with it.

If you want to make it really effective, try something like:

“Let’s roleplay. You’re my colleague. Ask me questions about my job. If I hesitate, help me say it more naturally.”

It’s a safe space to practice, and you can do it daily and get feedback.

4) Don’t aim for perfect. Aim for consistent.

If you want to improve quickly, the goal isn’t perfect English.

It’s regular practice.

A few minutes a day > one big session once a week.

That’s how you improve “rapidly” for real.

Speak Like a Leader — Weekly Challenge

This week, I’m challenging you to write something, without AI, so you can sharpen your thinking in English and, ultimately, speak English more confidently.

Write a few lines about:

• Your day

• Your goals

• A new idea

• …

Share it in the comment section below (on Substack). I would love to read it.

That’s it for today!

Thank you and well done for reading until the end.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to click the ❤️ button so more people can discover it. It also motivates me to continue.

Until next week, take care.

Aurélie (aka Oh Really)

Your English Coach