"I believe" is much better than "I think" + 16 more alternative ways you can respond to common questions in English at work

"Why did this misunderstanding happen during the meeting? I had no intention of offending anyone, but that is not how it sounded! "

I came across this case with a client of mine a couple of months ago.

She wanted to?express her opinion?about one of the proposals laid on the table.

However, it?went?wrong. Instead of leading the meeting in fashion, she ended up explaining what she?meant to?avoid a conflict.

Words matter, but it also matters...

... what you want to say and how you say it.?

"Oh, God, Vera! What else should I be focusing on to speak English like a pro?"

I get that. It's?frustrating?to realise?that your studying is simply... not enough. I'm sorry to tell you, but you should work on more than one?aspect?of business English, regardless of your level.

Learning to speak naturally and confidently is not a win in a lottery. It's more like riding?bumper cars.?

You need the?skills,?but you also have to avoid?bumping onto other cars?(where cars = pitfalls, mistakes, wrong way of saying things, misunderstandings, mindless learning, and the list goes on...).

Having a?rich vocabulary?is a must but doesn't suffice if you want to nail your meetings, presentations, or negotiations.

You need to train more of your?"learning" muscles, OK?

Like which words or phrases to use on each occasion, how to use them and respond appropriately to certain questions, how to leverage your?body language?to facilitate communication, to name a few.

For example,?"I believe" is way better than?"I think"?when you want to express your opinion on a matter. The?latter?implies uncertainly and you certainly don't want to signal that. Using the verb "believe"?is?confident?and?mindful, letting you stand your ground.

But, no despair!?It's all in your hands. You should avoid?mindless?learning?at all costs (literally!), like memorising words, focusing on grammar and syntax, or skipping actual practice.

Mindfully?improving your business English can help you have?better and more sustainable results.

Get inspired & discover how to nail it!

Below, you can discover?17 confident & mindful phrases to express your opinion and respond to common questions at work.

Click on each image to discover more.

Need a vigorous?2022 booster for your business English?

If?you struggle?with business English?vocabulary?and how to express yourself, ask and respond to questions the right way?(like so many others like you, no reason to beat yourself up for it!), why don't you give a?super boost?to your business English with?my 4-hour intensive session?

It's?short,?to the point,?customized to YOUR exact needs. Whether you prepare for a job interview or an important?presentation?or simply want a quick level-up for your?vocabulary?or?pronunciation, this 4-hour intensive session is for you.

Plus,?it's?one-off, 4 hours only?(so no need for extensive advance scheduling), and?affordable.

Find out more?here?& then book a?free Clarity Call?with me. This is simply?to?chat for 30 minutes or less to make sure this "crash course" is?right for you 100%!

Things I love & recommend

HEADSPACE.?It's my favorite mindfulness app. People believe that mindfulness is something serious and dry when in reality, it's not even close to that. You see, it's?about?being present, enjoying the moment, feeling calm, and making deliberate decisions. Meditation is only part of it so let go of prejudices and dive into mindfulness with the?HEADSPACE app.

It's ideal for various occasions, like before going for that?job interview?or having an important and challenging?conversation, meeting or negotiation. It also helps with?productivity, includes?music?to please your ears and calm your mind, and enables you to build healthy?sleeping?habits.?Tried, tested & loved!

This week I've been inspired by...

"The Power of Mindful Learning" by Ellen J. Langer.?This is another good?read to practice your English and learn about the importance of "mindful?learning". Or better about the risks of "mindless" learning, which focuses on grammar and memorisation without mindfully integrating what you've learned into your daily use of the English language.