Many finance professionals, who either want to communicate more effectively in English due to cultural differences in the workplace or want to sharpen their presentation skills in English to adapt to cultural diversity, ask me this:
🙋 Dimitrios, I want to speak English naturally, confidently, and effectively. I really want to master my communication and presentation skills in English.
How can I achieve this?
💎 The answer is simple:
All my clients, who are becoming effective English communicators and presenters, have followed these 3 steps that I share with you below.
Step 1: Build an identity
To build this common identity, safe spaces of expression are required — in meetings, through mentoring programs, and in workshops, where anyone can meet the other and be exposed to differences and, ultimately, co-create.
For example:
Looking forward to the weekend?
Have you been working here long?
You look like you could use a cup of coffee. (*say with a smile and friendly intonation)
Step 2: Encourage collaboration and empowerment
Initiate specific calls with team members that are non-work related. It’s an opportunity for your team to have a chat and tell stories to get to know each other better, which will make them want to work together as a team.
For example:
Did you catch the news about _____?
What do you think about (recent development/news story)?
Did you happen to see the (match/game/event) last night?
Step 3: Promote rotation and experience sharing
Expose your team to diversity. Regularly rotate professionals in short-term assignments across countries. Create “hit squads” composed of volunteers from different countries and finance teams that support other teams remotely or on-site on case-by-case topics.
For example:
“I will finish the project I am currently working on and then we can touch base later in the week.”
Following these 3 steps is vitally important to your success.
And only when you understand this will you be able to see the desired results in all areas of your life.
