You are already able to communicate in English but you don't feel confident that you sound like a senior manager. In this episode, I've picked my top 11 quick upgrades you can make to sound more executive. But let me be clear, you don’t need these to do your job. You already are a senior manager. But if you want to feel more confident when you walk into the room, this episode will help. Enjoy! Anna

Timestamps

• 02:10 The “outfit” analogy
• 03:10 — Upgrade 1: Further (vs. more)
• 04:10 — Upgrade 2: I think alternatives
• 05:35 — Upgrade 3: preference without over-commitment
• 07:40 — Upgrade 4: diplomatic disagreement
• 09:10 — Upgrade 5: manage objections neutrally
• 10:50 — Upgrade 6: sound inclusive in openings
• 11:50 — Upgrade 7:directive but collaborative control
• 13:25 — Upgrade 8: Ipolite interruption / keep meeting on track
• 14:55 — Upgrade 9: Replace common adjectives
• 16:30 — Upgrade 10: raise issue with the right person
• 17:50 — Upgrade 11: conviction without aggression
• 17:50 — Practice Out loud: conviction without aggression

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

As a senior manager, not understanding can feel very uncomfortable. You know people are looking to you to lead the conversation. If you miss something, you might say something wrong and worry you will look like silly. It's an understandable concern so let me help you build your confidence by learning common phrases from real meetings so next time you know exactly what you're colleagues are saying. Enjoy! Anna

• 00:00 – Why missing meaning in meetings crushes confidence
• 03:00 – Phrase 1
• 05:30 – Phrase 2
• 07:00 – Phrase 3
• 08:00 – Phrase 4
• 09:30 – Phrase 5
• 10:30 – Phrase 6
• 12:00 – Quick recap of all phrases
• 13:00 – How to lock these into your memory

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

You can already speak English but do you sound like the senior manager you are? In this episode, I walk you through the small communication habits that quietly affect how you come across at work. Enjoy! Anna

01:30 – The uncomfortable lesson I learned from my own communication coach
05:10 – Habit 1
07:00 – Habit 2
10:40 – Habit 3
13:20 – Practical ways to get feedback and improve
15:20 – Final challenge for the week

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

If you’ve got an interview in English for a senior role, you need answers that reflect your true experience, clearly, confidently, and with the right vocabulary. In just 12 minutes, I’ll walk you through the leadership verbs and phrases that instantly make your answers stronger and more accurate. All inspired by my clients who have gone through this process too. They are all straightforward upgrades you can try to incorporate in your next interview. I really hope you find it useful. Anna

TImestamps
01:15 – The problem: underselling your experience in English
03:05 – How to talk like a leader: essential verbs and phrases
03:20 – Verb 1
04:00 – Verb 2
04:40 – Verb 3
05:25 – Verb 4
06:00 – Verb 5
06:30 – Verb 6
07:10 – Verb 7
07:45 – Verb 8
09:20 – Practical tas
10:00 – Final reminders + where to get extra tips

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

Learn one small but powerful word you can use in difficult conversations to sound more diplomatic and confident without hiding your message. Senior managers use this word to soften feedback, communicate concerns clearly, and handle sensitive moments better. Enjoy! Anna

Timestamps

00:00 Why this tiny word matters
01:05 What the word really means
02:40 When to use it (and when not to)
04:15 How to use it to to soften feedback
06:10 Using the word to express risks
08:00 Practice: Rephrase your sentences
09:45 Your action step for this week

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

The last Decode episode was really popular so I wanted to expand to a new mini series throughout this season. If you’ve ever been in a meeting and thought, “Wait… what does that phrase actually mean?” this episode is for you. Let me take you through a list of common business expressions you’ll hear across companies and industries. You’ll learn what they mean, how they’re used, and the origin of the phrase. That will mean that next time, you can follow the conversation and won't have to wonder what it means! Enjoy. Anna

• 01:30 Phrase 1
• 03:05 Phrase 2
• 04:40 Phrase 3
• 06:05 Phrase 4
• 07:40 Phrase 5
• 09:05 Phrase 6
• 10:45 Phrase 7
• 12:10 Phrase 8
• 13:20 Phrase 9
• 14:30 Wrap-up + what to do this week

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

CLICK HERE TO MY NEXT FREE LIVESTREAM 12TH NOVEMBER 2025 19.30 (Madrid time)

Do you break the flow when you speak because you’re unsure if you’re using the right word? In this 15-minute episode, I’ll help you finally clarify the most common “what’s the difference” questions my clients ask. You’ll stop second-guessing yourself in meetings and just go for it. Keep the flow going! Enjoy. Anna

00:00 – Why we hesitate when we speak
02:00 – My “SUMO” trick to deal with hesitation
04:00 – Double vs. Duplicate
05:30 – Each vs. Every
07:00 – In the End vs. At the End
08:30 – Happy vs. Glad
10:00 – Ad Hoc vs. One-Off
11:30 – Argue vs. Discuss
13:30 – How to use this in real conversations
14:30 – Wrap-up and live stream invitation

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish

Do you have a a great question but there's a big audience and it's intimidating? this short, practical session I give you a clear 5-step framework, real examples, and delivery tips so you can speak up, ask a question confidently and feel like you are contributing to the conversation. Enjoy! Anna

00:35 – Why speaking up matters for senior managers (visibility & impact)
02:10 – The 5-step question framework
04:20 – Example 1:
05:20 – Example 2:
06:05 – Example 3:
06:55 – Delivery tips:
08:10 – Sound more advanced
08:55 – Action task
09:35 – Start small

GET MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - Become a free member and get my weekly round up of tips in the newsletter and extra bonus content

INTERESTED IN 1-to-1 COACHING? Register for future places on my programme

WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Donate a coffee

TRANSCRIPTS - do an in-depth review of the episode content

LinkedIn @AnnaConnelly

Instagram @annabusinessenglish

YouTube @annabusinessenglish