Confident Business English
Are you a senior manager who lacks confidence communicating in English at work? Accredited Neurolanguage Coach® Anna Connelly brings professionals like you, who already need to use English in their daily work, practical business English tips to help your boost confidence. The goal is to help you feel more confident using a framework of 1. Learn, 2. Take Action, 3. Repeat. Professionals say they love the podcast because it's to-the-point, it covers on very relevant topics and they get results just from listening.
318. When You're Capable in English… But You Don’t Trust Yourself (A Conversation with Joely Pullen)
In this episode of Confident Business English, I’m joined by Joely Pullen, who owns Savvy English. A company with 2000+ students across 25 companies, for the first part of a real, unscripted conversation about confidence at work. We talk about a challenge we both see all the time: professionals who already have a good level of English but don’t feel confident using it when it really matters. If you’ve ever thought “I know what I want to say, but I just don’t say it,” this episode will resonate. We explore the difference between confidence and competence, why this is ofte...
317. Ask Anna: Grasp an Essential Business Verb & Add More Impact to Your Messages
In this episode, you will hear Business English questions from senior managers like you. If you want to choose the right word with confidence and sound more precise at work, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Anna
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316. Real-Life Business English: Colleague Conversation After Conference (Anna Reports)
In this episode of Anna Reports, you will listen in on a real conversation between British colleagues I heard after a conference in Madrid. You’ll hear the kinds of expressions, humour, complaints and tone that appear in natural workplace conversations. The kind of English you rarely see in textbooks. Hopefully by the end you will have picked up a few phrases that will help you feel more confident in your conversations. Enjoy! Anna
02:15 — British workplace humour
05:00 — Small complaints in conversation
07:20 — “Catch up” in workplace English
09:30 — Softening opinions in conversation
11:20 — Reading tone and hidden meaning<...
315. It’s Not Just You: The Reality of Speaking English at Work
Speaking English at a senior level often brings difficult experiences that aren't always talked about. You start questioning yourself: Did I say it wrong? Did I sound too direct? Did they understand me? In this episode, you’ll see that many of these experiences are normal. I share my own personal experiences as well as client stories you will resonate with. I hope the reflections will help you reframe difficult moments so they affect your confidence less. Enjoy!
01:20 — Interpreting reactions in meetings
03:00 — The “different personality” feeling in another language
05:40 — Handling criticism and unhelpful comments
07:30 — When people int...
314. The Technical Series: Reported Speech for Senior Managers
In this Technical Series episode, I focus on reported speech. This was inspired by a client question and I thought it would be a great topic, as it is something often often looked but something you use every single day as a senior manager when relaying what the board, clients, or your team have said. I'll clarify the key structures, common mistakes, and how to broaden your reporting verbs so you can speak clearly, accurately, and without breaking your flow. Enjoy! Anna
00:00 — Why this matters at senior level 02:00 — Core structure & common pitfalls 05:00 — Expanding your reporting language 08:30 — Reporting discussions & instruct...313. Train Your Executive Voice with 3 Small Shifts
Do you ever feel your English sounds fine, but not quite executive? In this episode, you’ll learn three simple language shifts that will help strengthen your presence in your interactions as a senior manager. Nothing complicated. Just smarter framing that changes how you’re perceived.
Book mentioned in episode: The First Minute, Chris Fenny
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312. The Technical Series: 15 Minutes to More Precise Progress Updates
Asa senior manager you constantly report on progress, what’s done, what’s delayed, what’s ongoing, and what’s stopped. In this episode, you’ll learn how to use four essential adverbs to make your status updates clearer, more precise, and more credible in meetings. Enjoy! Anna
00:00 – Why precision matters in senior-level communication
02:30 – First key language shift
05:00 – Second key language shift
07:30 – Third key language shift
09:30 – Fourth key language shift
12:30 – A subtle nuance that changes tone
14:00 – How to apply the learning
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311. English, Energy, and Long Workdays: Little Snippets #21
Speaking English all day at conferences, events, or meetings is mentally exhausting and that’s normal. In this short episode, you’ll learn why your English can feel worse as the day goes on, why this has nothing to do with your level, and how to be more compassionate with yourself when fatigue kicks in, especially at senior level. Enjoy! Anna
Little Snippets are my mini 5-minute episodes on Confident Business English focused on my best confidence-boosting tips.
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309. Communicating Effectively with Executives: Little Snippet #19
Highly capable professionals are often overlooked not because of their expertise, but because their message isn’t clear. In 5-minute short episode, you’ll learn simple, practical tips to communicate more clearly with executives, link your ideas to business impact, and get better feedback so your message lands with confidence. Enjoy! Anna
Little Snippets are my 5-minute mini episode series on Confident Business English.
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310. Your Business English Prescription: Little Snippet #20
In this mini episode, you’ll learn how putting key phrases and standard interactions on autopilot can reduce stress, improve fluency, and free up your energy for more difficult conversations. Perfect for busy professionals who want practical confidence, not more theory. Enjoy! Anna
Little Snippets are my 5-minute mini episodes on Confident Business English focused on my best confidence-boosting tips.
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308. Anna Reports: 5 Phrases from a Business Call I Overheard on the Train
In this episode, I introduce a new format Anna Reports, where I reveal takeaways from real business conversations I've heard and break them down the natural English phrases so you feel more confident with them in the workplace.
You’ll learn:
Common British business expressions you’re likely to hear in real conversationsThe difference between 4 very common nouns for time managementWhat it really means to broach a sensitive topicPLEASE NOTE I've deliberately recorded this episode to be even more conversational to challenge you more. It's normal if you find it harder than usual. Read along...
307. Let’s Answer Your Business English Questions!
In this episode, you will hear Business English questions from senior managers like you. If you want to choose the right word with confidence and sound more precise at work, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Anna
Do you want to record a 30-second question for the episode? Send me an email at info@confidentbusinessenglish and I'll give you the information.
01:40 — Question 1: Luis
06:10 — How to choose the right word when working with teams, partners, and authorities
08:10 — Question 2: Petra
12:40 — How these words fit together (the “Russian doll” model)
17:40 — Practical summary + how to submit your...
306. If You Feel Too Direct When You Speak English, Listen to This
As a senior manager, at times you will need to be direct and at times, diplomatic. However, you feel your vocabulary is limited and you tend to speak too directly. In this episode, I show you how to say the same message in different ways, so you can choose the right tone for meetings, feedback, and difficult conversations. Enjoy! Anna
01:40 — Direct vs diplomatic: the core communication problem
03:20 — Scenario 1: Managing time in meetings
06:40 — Scenario 2: Giving negative feedback
11:20 — Scenario 3: Rejecting an idea
14:40 — Key takeaways + how to practice
15:30 — Final action step
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305. How to Build Confidence and Connection in English at Work
Making conversation in English can feel harder than meetings, presentations, or technical discussions, especially when you are a senior manager. In this episode, I give you ways to help reduce feeling awkward and uncertain to feeling more confident, in control, and connected when you speak with colleagues in English. I'll share with you simple, repeatable strategies to:
reduce anxiety before conversationsguide discussions instead of reacting to themhandle moments of misunderstanding calmlyfinish conversations confidently and naturallyI hope you can take something away from the episode today. Enjoy. Anna
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304. I Don’t Sound Like a Senior Manager in English: 11 Executive Upgrades to Get On Autopilot
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 alternatives05:35 — Upgrade 3: preference without over-commitment07:40 — Upgrade 4: diplomatic disagreement09:10 — Upgrade 5: manage objections...303. What Did They Just Say? Real Meeting English for Senior Managers
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 confidence03:00 – Phrase 105:30 – Phrase 207:00 – Phrase 308:00 – Phrase 409:30 – Phrase 510:30 – Phrase 612:00 – Quick recap of all phrases13:00 – How to lock these into your memory
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302. Executive Presence in English: Habits to Improve Your Delivery
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
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301. 12 Minutes to Speak Like a Leader in Your Next Interview
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 le...
300. Senior Manager Quick Wins: One Small Word to Sound More Diplomatic
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
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299. Decode Business Phrases: No More “What Does That Mean?”
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 103:05 Phrase 204:40...298. Don’t Break Your Flow! Clarify the Business Words That Make You Hesitate
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 –...
297. Ask Your First Question at a Conference
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
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296. 15 Minutes to See Your English Differently
If you already speak English every day but still doubt yourself, this one’s for you. In 15 minutes, I want to help you shift your perspective so you can focus on more on what actually matters. This is a coaching episode which is part of the content on Confident Business English. It's not just about the technical stuff, you also need to put in the work to move forward in the way you think. I hope you find it useful. Anna.
Timings
00:00 – Why your English confidence might be the real problem, not your skills
02:00 – The mis...
295. Disagree Without Disconnecting: Cross-Cultural Skills for International Managers (With Lindsay McMahon, All Ears English)
In this episode, I talk with Lindsay McMahon, CEO and co-host of All Ears English, about how senior managers can disagree more effectively and sensitively in global business settings. We explore cultural differences in communication, key concepts like context and power distance, and practical English phrases you can use to disagree without damaging relationships. Enjoy!
Here are the timings:
00:00 – Introduction & why disagreeing well matters for leaders
01:00 – Meet Lindsay McMahon and her global communication insights
02:30 – A real-life story about missing cultural cues
04:30 – Key ideas: high vs. low context cultures and power distance
07:00 – How culture...
294. Crack the Code: Everyday British Work Phrases—Explained
In this episode, I break down common everyday British workplace expressions that you have told me often confuse you. From casual phrases to more formal ones. You’ll learn their real meanings and when to expect them so you can respond confidently and follow work conversations with second guessing. Enjoy! Anna
Time Notes:
00:00 – Why understanding boosts confidence
02:00 – Informal phrases at work
04:30 – Formal email language
06:00 – Tricky linking words
08:00 – Subtle agreement expressions
09:45 – Casual workplace slang
10:30 – Ways to say “get in touch”
12:00 – Describing problems informally
13:00 – Signalling agreement
14:00 – Scheduling phrases
15:00 – Recap and listening tips
293. Help! I Need to Improvise in Meetings — And Be Confident
In this episode of Confident Business English, I provide you with strategies to help you feel more confident when unexpectedly asked to speak in English during meetings. I share 3 practical frameworks to effectively structure responses. I also emphasize the importance of buying time, using simple structures, and shifting your mindset to handle being put on the spot. This forms part of a new Help! series on the podcast. Episodes focused the actual challenges senior managers like you face every day.
00:42 Understanding the Challenge of Being Put on the Spot01:50 Reframing Your Mindset03:37 Practical Tips to Buy Time05:15 The I...292. Explain Why It Matters: Effective English Structures to Persuade at Work
Do you ever feel it's hard to convince people of your ideas in English? You feel you are not as persuasive and your sentences are flat. I actually come across this problem frequently with clients. That's why I'd like to help you explain why things matter. I will show you 3 effective English structures you can use to hopefully sound more convincing and help your colleagues understand the importance behind your ideas. Enjoy! Anna
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291. Put These 3 Phrases into Action in Your Next Meeting (Season Premiere)
Welcome back to a brand new season of Confident Business English. I wanted to kick off focusing on one of the things you told me you love about the podcast - content you can actually use in real life at work. In this episode I've selected 3 phrases you can try in your next meeting. They are so relevant for you as a senior manager and I hope this training will help you feel more confident to say them and you will fele like you are making progress. Enjoy! Anna
Want to learn thees 3 plus 2 extra in much...
290. Let's Wrap it Up! My Final Key Takeaways for This Season
Let's wrap up this season with a final episode of my key takeaways as a Neurolanguage Coach®, working with senior managers like you every single day. We will touch on how to be more clear, understand commonly confused business words and end on how to build your confidence. The new season will be back on 17th September 2025.
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<...289. Self-Conscious About Your Pronunciation? Spend 30 Minutes with an Expert (Bonus Guest Episode)
For the penultimate episode of Confident Business English this season, I am bringing you a bonus guest episode Emma from Pronunciation with Emma. If you haven't heard of Emma already, she has 15+ years of experience and over 1 mill. followers on social media. In short, she knows her stuff. She is going to spend 30 minutes with you to hopefully help you towards feeling less self-concious about your pronunciation. Emma talks about:
Her best advice if you are struggling right nowA practical method to finally say your most difficult wordsTop tips for speakers from specific languagesQ&A round from the c...288. Know Exactly What to Say: 11 Essential One-Liners for Real Moments in the Workplace
Your team member is leaving, you find out a colleague is pregnant or sadly a colleague's family member has passed away. What to say in these real moments in the workplace? Let me walk you through 11 one-liners you feel confident you know exactly what to say. Hope it's useful. Anna
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287. From Flat to Convincing: Build Your Executive Presence in English
Do you have to convince and persuade your colleagues on your ideas? Are you worried your points sound flat and don't make an impact because you don't have the right words? In this episode I illustrate how choosing the right vocabulary can make a big difference to how your argument comes across. Learn quick, practical tricks about what to include to sound more convincing and common pitfalls which will make your argument sound weaker. Perfect for any senior managers who need to convince execs! I hope it's useful! Anna.
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286. My Key Takeaways: Finally Understand This Crucial Business Tense for Clearer Communication
Recently, I've been getting the same question from my clients. "How do I use the present perfect properly? I understand the technical grammar but I have doubts about when to use it." As you are always a senior manager too, you may also lack confidence in how to use. That's why I wanted to dedicate an episode to covering this in-depth and help build your confidence with it. It is a HIGHLY useful tense to feel comfortable with as we use it all the time in business. I hope you find it useful. Anna
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285. Core Business English Skills: Train Yourself To Understand Fast Phrases
Let's build your confidence with your core skills - understanding when your colleagues are speaking quickly. In this episode, I focus on business english phrases with connected speech to help you identify key sounds which will enable you to quickly recognise what people are saying.
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THIS PO...
284. Little Snippet #18: Make Sense of a Common but Confusing Verb
I'm in the UK this week and we are going to take a break from the normal schedule to bring you another Little Snippet. These are my 5-minute episode formats with tips and tricks focused on one specific Business English topic. This one focuses on understanding your native colleagues better. I hope you find it useful! Anna
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283. How to Use "Get" Part 2: Essential Business Verbs
This is a series called Essential Business Verbs. We continue our look at "get" one of the verbs my clients say time and time they find very confusing. I walk you through 3 more common meanings, examples and a chance to practice along with me at the end of the episode. Invest just 11 minutes of your time to build your confidence speaking and understanding your colleagues. Enjoy! Anna
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282. Struggling to Express High-Level Industry Trends? Use This Easy Structure
Let me take you through a simple structure you can use to sound great when communicating high-level trends in your sector in English. I also share lots of real-life examples sent in by other professionals listening to this podcast.
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281. BONUS EPISODE Mindset Shifts for Senior Managers: Insights from a Mindset Coach for High Achievers
Join me this week for a bonus episode where I invite Oli Cooke, a mindset coach for high achievers to share his practical tips for your biggest challenges. In my opinion, Improving your mindset when communicating in English and becoming more resilient is a big part of creating a lasting change where you actually feel more comfortable speaking in a work context. I hope you enjoy the episode.
As this is a bonus guest episode, it is longer than usual. To get the full transcript to follow become a free member of Confident Business English.
...
280. My Key Takeaways: Fix Confusing Phrases, More Assertive Questions, Reading News, Build a Resilient Mindset & More!
Join me for more of my key business english takeaways from my work as a Neurolanguage Coach. I touch on loads of topics. Vocabulary, grammar, reading tips and mindset. Don't miss out.
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279. Never Feel Awkward Again: The Only Phrases You Need to Invite Colleagues for Coffee and Lunch
Have you ever wanted to ask a colleague to go for a coffee or lunch before a meeting, but felt awkward (uncomfortable) because you didn’t know the right phrases? Let me share three key phrases in English to invite your colleagues for coffee or lunch in different situations—so you never have to feel awkward or embarrassed again.
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