I don't speak like a senior manager.
I don't talk in an executive way in English.
Sound familiar?
Well, in this episode, I'm going to focus on 11 upgrades you can make to how you speak to feel more confident communicating at a senior level.
Let's crack on, shall we?
Hello and welcome back to Confident Business English.
My name is Anna.
I'm a neuro language coach and I work with senior managers like you from all around the world every single day.
And this is the podcast, if you can already speak in English at work.
But your main goal is to build confidence.
As I said in the introduction, one of the biggest things I hear is a lack of confidence in how you sound.
I don't sound executive.
I don't sound like a senior manager.
And I get it, right?
Because maybe, like many of my clients, you have got a really good functional English or a practical English which is essentially you've learned it as you've gone along in your career.
And you can get the job done.
You hold meetings.
You give presentations.
You can do it all online.
But for some reason, it doesn't feel like enough.
And you hear the way that other people speak and you think, I don't sound like that.
Or there's something that they're saying that I'm not using.
And if I could speak a little bit more like that, it would make me feel much more confident before I walk into the room.
I think the first thing to get across here is yes, there are phrases you can use that can sound more executive or have more of a leadership touch.
But there is no one way that a senior manager sounds.
There's no one size fits all for this.
And at the end of the day, you already are a senior manager.
You already talk like a senior manager simply because you are one.
Another really important thing that I want you to keep in mind here is that none of the things I'm going to share with you today are obligatory or mandatory.
To sound like a senior manager.
The most important thing always is a clear and simple message.
Tell me what I need to know in as few words as possible, as simply as possible.
However, perhaps if you use some of these words and phrases, it will help you feel more confident when you go into the room.
The analogy I like to use here is always with clothes.
We've all got that special outfit that you put on.
You go to work and you think wow, I feel super confident.
You don't have to wear it.
You can just wear a normal outfit or whatever.
But you know that if you wear that suit or dress or shirt or whatever, you're just going to feel better when you walk into the room.
It's a little bit like that with this type of vocabulary.
You don't need to use the advanced stuff.
It's really not mandatory at all.
But if it's going to help give you a confidence boost when you're there, then it could be something that's worth investing the time to learn.
So let's take that attitude into the episode today and let's get on with it.
I'm going to go through my 11 points here.
A little bit of background, some examples, and then I'm going to ask you to practice as well.
As a senior manager, I can imagine that many times you're saying, are there any more questions?
Or I need more details.
Or more discussion is required until we come to an agreement.
But rather than using more here, I would encourage you to swap it for further.
F-U-R-T-H-E-R.
Further.
Why?
Well, the difference here is small, but more really focuses on volume.
More questions, more details. but further focuses on progression, development, the next step.
It sounds a little bit more formal and also more strategic, which of course can help it sound more executive.
So rather than saying I need more details, try saying I need further details.
Next, when you have to give a reflection about something.
Often I find people say things like I think it was really good.
I think it was very helpful.
But here's a phrase that you could use instead, which sounds great when you want to give a reflection, perhaps about a presentation, if you're at a conference, or maybe something that somebody has presented to you, like the team, for example.
I found it really interesting.
Or you can use any other adjective.
I found it really insightful.
I found it very helpful.
I found it very useful.
The structure is just I found it, the it is like a dummy it, and then any adjective you want.
You could also even say I found it a little confusing, actually, your presentation.
Why does this sound more executive than just saying I think?
Well, it's more reflective.
It's based on a reaction.
I think it's wonderful when you want to give a very clear opinion.
It's very direct and assertive.
But this is more reflective.
It's more to do with feedback.
And very, very nice for this type of situation where maybe you have to give a reflection.
Thank you, Anna.
I found it very insightful.
Thank you, everyone.
I found it very useful to have that information.
Next, another thing that you need to do all the time as a senior manager is express a preference for what you think is the best way forward.
Now I imagine that often, when you want to do this, you say I want to do this or I would like to do this.
But here's something you could use that expresses a preference without being 100 committed to something.
Because often at the early stages of a project right, you don't want to 100 definitely say that this is the right way to go.
You might need a little bit more time to work that out.
The sentence structure I'm going to share with you here is I.
I'm keen to or we are keen to.
Keen is spelled K-E-E-N.
This is a beautiful phrase I do not think is used enough.
What it means is we're interested, we're willing.
Also, it has that level of enthusiasm in there.
But there's not like an obligation or commitment.
It's not like we absolutely want to do this.
The reason why this works really well for you is it still has that positive tone in a business context, but it's not overly emotional.
It's not like we can't wait to do this or we're really enthusiastic, because those types of sentences we don't really say in a business context.
So this is a beautiful way to strike that balance between sounding positive but also, at the same time, very neutral and professional.
For example, next year, we're really keen to improve our customer satisfaction.
Or customer satisfaction is something that we are really keen to take a look at next year.
We're interested, we're willing, but you know, we're not saying we're absolutely going to do it.
We're just saying that we're keen to do it.
That's different.
And we've got to play the game a little bit, haven't we?
Moving on.
Next thing on my list.
And this is just part and parcel of being a senior manager is you have to disagree with people.
But the key part here is that you have to disagree with people whilst maintaining the relationship.
Often what I hear people say are things like, I don't think so.
That's not right.
I don't agree.
They all do the job, but they can come across as a little bit abrupt.
One small change I would recommend here is using the phrase I'm afraid.
I'm afraid I disagree.
I'm afraid that's not the way that I see it.
I'm afraid that we have a difference in opinion.
The reason this comes across as more executive is because you're allowing yourself to say no clearly, but you're still keeping that relationship intact.
It's an absolute must for you.
Highly recommend that you use it.
Small change, big difference in how it comes across.
Next, following on from our previous point, not only do you need to disagree with people, but you need to be able to manage objections right.
Negotiations, challenges from your team.
You need to be able to manage these objections while staying neutral but also making people feel like they're being listened to.
A key phrase that you can use for that is this.
I appreciate that.
However.
Imagine if you're disagreeing with somebody and they're talking about the budget, for example, and they're saying that you need fewer resources and you're like no, we need more resources.
You could say, I appreciate that.
I appreciate your perspective.
However, I feel that we do need more resources.
Why is this more executive?
Well, just simply by adding that sentence there, rather than saying something like yeah, but we need to do it like this.
Yeah, but we need more resources.
You're acknowledging their point of view.
They feel listened to.
I appreciate that.
However.
So you're acknowledging their perspective, you're validating their position.
Then you're giving them your point of view.
That is what comes across as executive, because you are a team builder, you are a leader, and these are the little touches that matter when you're managing big global teams.
Next, tiny, tiny change.
When you open meetings, I hear a lot of people say something like, hello, how are you?
But if you open meetings like that, especially group meetings, it doesn't sound like you're speaking to the group.
So one small change here is to make sure that when you're welcoming the group, to add either all or everyone.
For example, hello all, how are you doing today?
Hello, everyone.
How is everyone doing today?
Are you all good?
Just this small change is going to help it sound more inclusive and you'll probably get better responses as well, because sometimes when people say hi, how are you to a group?
Nobody really knows when to speak or say anything.
So you might even get a better response rate with that approach too.
Next, this point is really important for you because as a senior manager, you have to lead and direct conversations, but you don't want to be like a dictator, right?
Therefore, you absolutely need to be a master of let's sentences.
Let's get started.
Let's move on.
Let's leave it for now.
We can come back to it later.
Let's pick it up tomorrow.
We're running out of time.
Let's is going to allow you to take control of the conversation and to move it forward without sounding like a dictator and that you're being really bossy, even though you are steering the conversation towards what you want.
So why does it sound executive?
Well, it's directive language, because you are actually saying what you want, but it's almost disguised as collaboration.
So it helps you lead the conversation really decisively and keep control.
So it's an absolutely useful one and you need to be a master of let's.
Next on my list, as a senior manager, you're always in meetings, right?
And you're leading the conversation, but there's always times when you're running out of time, right?
And people are talking too much or whatever.
Now, maybe you want to say, sorry, you need to stop.
Sorry, there's no time.
Sorry, stop.
Or something like this.
Well, a little swap that you could make here is to say, I'm conscious of time.
I'm conscious of time.
Can we move on?
I'm conscious of time here, so let's move on.
Why is this executive?
Well, it's less abrupt than the other versions like, oh, stop now, which is absolutely fine.
Everybody's going to understand you, but it allows you to interrupt politely and keep that meeting on track.
And it's an absolute hallmark phrase for senior managers that need to manage meetings.
So if you don't have that in your vocabulary already, then definitely add it. again.
Moving on here, quick one.
One of the biggest things I see is an over-reliance on using the adjectives good and bad.
The meaning was good.
This proposal is bad.
This is not a very good approach.
But I would really like to challenge you to try to broaden your vocabulary around those areas.
Have a sit and think about and brainstorm what are some alternative adjectives I can use for good and bad when I'm describing things in my day-to-day job.
Because it's different for everybody, right?
If you're an architect or you're an IT salesperson, the adjectives are going to be different.
But really sit and think about how you could broaden that.
Why?
Well, because the richer your adjectives are, the better.
Good and bad are absolutely fine.
They do the job.
There's nothing wrong with that.
But if you can give me a little bit more nuance on that efficient effective cost-effective clear complex streamlined, smooth then you're giving a different level of detail.
And that comes across really, really well.
Next, this is an absolutely classic question that I recommend all senior managers get on autopilot.
And that is when you need to ask people to speak to other people.
And this is the phrase, can you take it up with someone?
This is an alternative for saying I need you to talk to somebody or I need you to speak to, which is a very common phrase.
Again does the job but sounds more executive.
If you say listen John, could you take it up with HR?
Take it up with, and it sounds like I'm saying it all as one word, because that's how we say it when we're speaking quickly.
All it means is could you talk to somebody about something?
It's really simple, but this version sounds more executive because it's about raising the issue in the right place with the right person.
It's polite, it's neutral, and super common in a senior role environment.
Finally, last but not least, the other thing that you can do to upgrade and sound more executive is about how you get across what you think is the right thing to do.
Often I see people really lack in this area, and that's about showing their conviction in their ideas or thoughts.
So things like saying, I think maybe we should do this.
Perhaps it could be a good idea.
Those are all fine sentences, but what about if you need to convince or persuade people that you really think this is the best way forward?
Simply a sentence like, I'm confident that really changes the tone of what you're talking about.
I'm confident that this is the right direction for the organization.
I'm really confident this is the right path.
I'm very confident in the team and their abilities.
Why does this sound executive?
Because it shows clear conviction, which is what we're looking for at a senior level, but without aggression.
And it gives you another option rather than using this overused, I think, I think.
So let's wrap up.
I'm going to give you one sentence to repeat, focusing on each of the points I've said today, starting with number one.
I need further details.
Thanks for the presentation, John.
I found it really interesting.
We're keen to explore this further in 2026.
I'm afraid I disagree.
I appreciate that.
However, I feel we need to consider another option.
Hello everyone.
How are you all doing today?
Let's get started.
I'm conscious of time, so let's move on.
Could you take it up with HR, please?
I'm confident that this is the right path for the organization.
All right, let's leave that there for today then.
I really hope that you enjoyed that episode and you took something away that maybe you could learn and implement and might help you feel more confident.
The best thing that you can do now is to take action and try to put some of these phrases into practice.
Even if it's only one or whatever, pick one and focus on that and see if you could try to implement it into your vocabulary.
This is the last episode of Confident Business English of this year, but I will be back on the 14th of January 2026 for the next episode.
Thank you as always for tuning in every week.
I know there's millions of other things that you could be doing, so I really appreciate you tuning in.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
