Delivering bad news is one of the most difficult parts of being a design or tech leader. 

When we deliver bad news we can receive backlash and you might have had some negative experiences in the past of when you have had to deliver some bad news. You might be the one delivering the bad news, but you aren’t necessarily responsible for it.

For many working in Design and Tech, challenging news is likely a very common occurrence. It might be that you are given a new deadline and have a lot less time than you had anticipated, you might have received news that there is going to be an impact in the scope of the project, or they have had to make budget cuts. It might mean that you have to lay off team members. 

In today’s episode I am sharing how you can deliver bad news in a professional and authentic way that builds trust and shows respect, as well as what to consider and what to avoid so you don’t make things worse.

Times to check out:

(02:50) Preparing for delivery

(04:40) Check in with yourself

(06:55) Timing

(08:23) Location

(13:17) Delivery

(18:30) Top tips

If you’d like to enhance your communication skills or language fluency in English let’s connect. Send me a direct message on LinkedIn and I’d be happy to help and share how I can further support you.

Recommended Episode: 

Communication Techniques to Build Better Professional Relationships

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

Good relationships with your colleagues, your managers, your clients and those around you can make all the difference in your career and overall work satisfaction. By having better relationships at work, it has been found that it makes you more productive, it improves your mood, and it can help you have better work life balance. It can be challenging to connect with others, and even more challenging when you work remotely.

In today’s episode I am sharing different communication techniques that you can use you build better rapport and enhance your professional relationships and how you can do this even when working remotely and with international teams and clients.

Times to check out:

(02:48) Your career growth and relationship building

(05:40) Why positivity matters 

(07:48) The most negative words to avoid

(10:22) Avoiding always and never

(12:46) Let's check in 

(13:53) Acknowledge their feelings

If you’d like to enhance your communication skills or language fluency in English let’s connect. Send me a direct message on LinkedIn and I’d be happy to help and share how I can further support you. 

Recommended Free Guide: 

40 Ways to Say No as a UX/UI Design and Tech Professional

FOLLOW >

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

Many times we think we need to move to an English speaking country to improve our English.

After my own experience of studying languages, studying linguistics and my own experience of teaching my students and watching many other friends and clients, I've seen again and again that you do not need to live in the local country to develop your speaking skills.

In today’s episode I share how you can develop your English speaking skills without living abroad or having many opportunities to speak.

I also share some of the biggest mistakes that I have made living abroad and what I have learned teaching clients from all over the world who believed that they needed to move abroad to develop their fluency, and what happens when you are taken out of an English speaking environment.

Times to check out:

(01:57) This is what happens when I stop trying

(06:16) Language learner’s number one enemy

(8:55) Why comprehension is not enough as a Design Professional

(11:00) I could have had a very different experience

(15:27) The harsh truth

(18:17) What happens when you move back home

(21:00) Create the opportunity 

If you would like more support with communicating your ideas and you’d like to build your confidence in speaking as a non-native English speaker and get support from me, then get your name on The Fluent Club waiting list. It is the last chance to join in 2022 so if you have been considering it, NOW is the time. It won’t be opening again until 2023 and the price will be increasing.

Don't let not living in an English speaking country or not working for an English speaking company or not having many opportunities to speak or not having English speaking friends be the reason that stops you from making progress.

Recommended episode:

Are my language skills getting worse?

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

The time has come where I want to get to the next level. What you have been doing to improve your communication skills and fluency might have worked up until now but you have reached a point in your career where you want to improve quickly. 

No matter how frustrated or far away you are feeling right now from reaching the level of fluency you desire, I’ve helped even the most shy and nervous professionals overcome self-doubt, and figure out how to articulate their ideas and decisions with clarity.

But how?

In today’s episode I’m going to be sharing exactly how you can take your English Fluency to the next level. I’ve found is that there is a five step process for Design and Tech professionals to go from feeling judged, awkward, and ashamed using English and scared of not having the right words in an interview or a professional situation to building their professional language skills so they can confidently saying yes to more opportunities and feel satisfied using English in their role and life. I share some very actionable steps you can do to reach the next level of fluency right away, no matter where you are on your fluency journey. 

Times to check out:

(01:26) There is no time like the present

(05:52) One of the biggest fluency mistakes 

(10:16) How to be more concise 

(11:55) This is how you can be better understood 

(13:12) You might be annoying people 

(15:52) Most people underestimate this

If you would like more support with communicating your ideas and you’d like to build your confidence in speaking as a non-native English speaker and get support from me, then get your name on The Fluent Club waiting list. It is the last chance to join in 2022 so if you have been considering it, NOW is the time. It won’t be opening again until 2023 and the price will be increasing. 

Either way, I am here to support you on this journey to taking your English fluency to the next level.

Recommended episode:

How to Develop, Build, Implement and Refine Your Professional Speaking Skills

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

A big part of the job interview is to show case your strengths.

Your goal is to demonstrate your strengths and experience that is most relevant to the job that you are applying to.

But highlighting your strengths in a confident way can be challenging.

Not just because you don’t like to brag, but we don’t see ourselves the way other people see us. It's not always easy to see our strengths.

In today’s episode I am sharing what are the types of strengths and how you can figure out your strengths to confidently talk about them in an interview. I share how you can comes across with ease and in a way that doesn’t sound like you are reading the job description. 

Times to check out:

(03:18) Why it isn't always easy to see our strengths

(07:48)How can I make my strengths stand out?

(10:01) Types of strengths 

(13:59) Identifying your strengths

(15:12) Quality over quantity

(17:47) Using your voice

If you ever feel insecure when it comes to speaking in a work context or an interview and you’d like to learn more communication tips and strategies and get support from me, then get your name on The Fluent Club waiting list. The Fluent Club is the best place for design and tech professionals to reach a higher level of fluency, express yourself confidently, and grow as a professional in a fun, supportive environment with like-minded people. We are opening at the end of the month!

Recommended episodes:

The Gap or the Gain – Handling Setbacks and Dealing with Rejection

Answering The Interview Question: How Do You Handle Challenging Situations 

Speaking with positivity: how not to sabotage your success

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

Have you ever delivered a presentation at work to colleagues, clients or stakeholders and as soon as you finish, you are asked questions that you have just addressed in your presentation.

They weren't listening! 

It’s a harsh truth but people aren’t paying attention to your presentation. 

You might be sharing interesting information, data, graphs, designs, empathy maps, sketches, and ideas but your listeners can still zone out and stop listening.

But if you fail to connect with your audience, teammates, clients and stakeholders you may lose out on getting buy-in. You can lose time. Many mistakes can be made which can end up being very costly.

In today’s episode I am sharing how you can make your colleagues and audience listen to you by having a dynamic presentation that captivates and inspires your team mates so they aren’t leaving the presentation feeling more confused than when they first joined.

Times to check out:

(02:40) Why no one listens

(05:20) When people 'actually' pay attention

(07:21) Starting with a strong opening

(10:07) Asking a question

(11:47) Expectations of what is to come

(13:22) What to do when people start to zone out?

(16:24) How to keep it dynamic

(18:00) An engaging presentation structure 

(20:17) Important tips for engaging people 

If you have a presentation coming up and you’d like to learn more communication tips and strategies then get your name on The Fluent Club waiting list so you will be the first to hear when it next opens. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it! The Fluent Club is the best place for design and tech professionals to reach a higher level of fluency, express yourself confidently, and grow as a professional in a fun, supportive environment with like-minded people.

Recommended episode:

How to Summarise Information and End Your Presentation

Explaining Your Process with Clarity

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in working together or collaborating, send an email to [email protected]

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

When it comes to communicating our ideas, speaking concisely is a frequent challenge for most speakers. It doesn’t matter if English is your first language or not.

We have so much to say but a short time to share it.

There are many advantages when it comes to speaking concisely. Concise language portrays your professionalism and competence. It's easier for you to understand what you want to say and for your listener to trust you more, remember your message and be more persuasive.  This is even more crucial when you are communicating across global teams and cultures. 

In today’s episode I am sharing how you can simplify your language so you can be better understood no matter who you are speaking to or the situation you are in, what are deadwood phrases and language to avoid and how A.B.C are the most important aspects of communication. 

Times to check out:

(04:12) The benefits of simple language 

(05:33) Simple language does not mean make it simplistic

(07:55) Are you familiar with the content or topic? 

(09:19) Don't forget your ABCs

(11:41) Using too many words 

(15:06) Your choice of language 

(18:49) An important checklist

Recommended episode:

Explaining Your Process with Clarity

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in finding out how we can work together in 2022 then send an email to [email protected] or send me a message on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram with the word 'Fluent' and I will send the information on how we can do it.

When it comes to delivering a talk or presentation, the closing is one of the most difficult parts. 

It’s the last thing that your audience hears and remembers. 

It doesn't matter how strong you started or how well you used storytelling and shared interesting data, facts, and information if you have a shaky ending. 

But how can you summarise information and finish stronger? 

In this week’s episode I am sharing how you can summarise your ideas in your presentations to entertain, inspire, educate, and motivate your audience. I share the step-by-step progress of how you can summarise your ideas and information and give a killer call to action. 

Times to check out:

(03:04) Putting your presentation together

(05:28) What is a summary?

(07:31) Using storytelling when summarising 

(09:23) Decisions to make for your summary 

(11:38) The process to summarise 

(14:20) Ending on a high

(16:46) Why use a strong call to action 

If you have a presentation coming up and you’d like to learn more communication tips and strategies then get your name on The Fluent Club waiting list so you will be the first to hear when it next opens. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it! The Fluent Club is the best place for design and tech professionals to reach a higher level of fluency, express yourself confidently, and grow as a professional in a fun, supportive environment with like-minded people.

Recommended episode:

Explaining Your Process with Clarity 

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in finding out how we can work together in 2022 then send an email to [email protected] or send me a message on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram with the word 'Fluent' and I will send the information on how we can do it.

If you have been dealing with no’s and rejection recently, you are not alone. My inbox has been filled with messages from professionals from all over the world sharing how they are losing opportunities and the rejection is getting to them. 

It’s easy for your confidence to take a hit. We can start to feel ashamed and embarrassed when we’re rejected. We might even deny that it is affecting us so much and just keep going anyway… We naturally want to protect ourselves from future rejection. It can even start to lead to blame. We can blame ourselves for not being enough or doing enough. 

But there is a way out. After reading 'The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan with Dr Benjamin Hardy', I have started to understand what I was doing wrong and why I always felt like I was failing. 

In this week’s episode I am sharing mindset hacks when it comes to handling setbacks and dealing with rejection and more specifically when you are being rejected for jobs or professional opportunities. I share my own take-aways and insights from the book and what that can mean for you when it comes to dealing with career and interview rejection. 

Times to check out:

(01:35) Are you losing hope?

(4:51) Acknowledge the pain

(05:57) Am I in the gap?

(07:17) Comparing yourself

(09:40) Measure backwards

(10:38) Define your own success

(14:04) How can you support me with my interview skills, Gemma?

If you are feeling frustrated or far away from reaching the level of fluency you desire or from your dream international job, join The Fluent Club so you can move away from feeling judged, ashamed and tired of rejection to confidently saying yes to more opportunities. The enrolment to Fluent Club is currently closed but when your name is on the wait list you will be the first to learn when it opens up next and get in before the price increases! Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Book mentioned in the episode:

The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan with Dr Benjamin Hardy

FOLLOW >

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO at Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in education. I have travelled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication skills in English.

🌍 My website/blog: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

💌 GET IN TOUCH: If you are interested in finding out how we can work together in 2022 then send an email to [email protected] or send me a message on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram with the word 'Fluent' and I will send the information on how we can do it.

No one can or should do this alone.

Today I am interviewing Rosie Yeung, President and Founder of her own company, Changing Lenses. Rosie is a Coach, Speaker, Educator, and Podcaster for Justice, Equity, Decolonisation and Inclusion (JEDI). She helps people with privilege dismantle systemic inequity, while helping people without privilege survive it. Her life goal is to reduce social inequity and discrimination, especially in wealth, race, and gender. 

Rosie shares her own story as a Chinese-Canadian, immigrant, cis-straight female. We discuss some very deep and complex topics around systemic racism and inequity as well as language loss and assimilation. We touch on language equality, the advantages of English and being an English speaker as well as what this means in recruitment, business, and your life.

Times to check out:

(1:05) Rosie's background 

(5:17) A holistic approach 

(6:46) Becoming a JEDI 

(10:25) Surviving privilege

(13:05) The advantages of being a native English speaker

(16:14) Experiencing assimilation

(19:50) My heart is being pulled (English vs world languages)

(21:11) What happens when you lose your language

(23:15) I am smart in my first language, I promise! 

(28:37) How to stop apologising for your level of English

(30:45) Being rushed when speaking

(36:45) Hiring international talent 

(43:47) Becoming aware of bias and the questioning the system 

(48:08) Do you really need all of these qualifications?

(58:40) Jobs descriptions and the hiring process 

(1:03:17) What we can learn from Gandhi 

(1:08:38) An important message 

💌 GET IN TOUCH with Rosie

Website: https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/changinglensesca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosieyeung_jedi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosieyeung/

Podcast: https://www.changinglenses.ca/podcast 

💌 GET IN TOUCH with Gemma

Website: https://fluentspeakers.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluentspeakersltd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentspeakers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-keeling-fluentspeakers15/

FREE guide for Designers: https://landing.fluentspeakers.co.uk

WHO AM I: I'm Gemma Keeling, Founder, and CEO of Fluent Speakers. With a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from The University of Oxford, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language, I have extensive training and expertise in teaching and education. I have traveled extensively and worked in many different societies and cultures. I coach digital design and tech professionals to improve their communication, fluency, and leadership skills in English for a better career and life.