#79 From Decision to Connection: Start English Conversations
Gábor Légrádi
Coaching Non-Native CEOs & Leaders To Save Time & Face In International Business | English Pronunciation & Fluency Coach | MA, RSA/CTEFLA
Do you ever find yourself holding back from speaking English, even when you know the words?
Many English learners feel stuck—not because of a lack of skills, but because of something else entirely: a mindset roadblock.
Let me share a quick story that might sound familiar.
Some time ago I worked with a successful brand manager from Spain who avoided speaking English at business or socializing meetups. She worried that her English would make her seem less professional. She skipped chances to network, missing out on key opportunities for her career.
It wasn’t her language ability that held her back—it was fear of image.
Like many learners, she didn’t need more vocabulary or grammar drills. She needed to rebuild her confidence to speak. Together, we worked on strategies to shift her mindset and gradually push past the fear.
The breakthrough came at a casual garden birthday party she got invited to. She knew only one person at the party, a friend, but the friend was busy greeting other guests, leaving her alone. She knew there was also an English speaker at the party—an opportunity for some light conversation in English.
After some time waiting she decided to turn around and walk out of the party. A few minutes later, however, she found herself engaged in a real conversation with the English-speaking guest! How did that happen?
What happened between those two moments was that, as she had already built up the mental and emotional resources to overcome the fear and the freeze, she decided to walk back in! This time she went straight up to the guest, striking up a conversation—naturally, freely, and with enough confidence to chat.
That moment was a key turning point for her. She realized that speaking English isn’t about perfection; it’s about making a connection.
What about you? Do you feel shy speaking English? Write down one thing that makes you hesitate. Fear of mistakes? Not knowing what to say? Share your thoughts in the comments below.??
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In these weekly articles you'll find tips based on my 25+ years of professional experience working with hundreds of professionals and corporate managers who initially struggled with their English pronunciation.
I'm an English Fluency Coach, radio podcast host and content creator.
Connect | Gábor Légrádi | MA, RSA/CTEFLA
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