The Harsh Truth: Fluent English Isn't Enough Anymore (Do This Instead) | Sanjeev Jayaratnam

Summary

In this video, Sanjiv addresses the common struggle of being overlooked in meetings despite having fluent English and great ideas. He highlights that the issue is not language fluency but delivery. By sharing a personal story, he explains how tone, structure, and confident delivery are key to being heard. Sanjiv outlines four powerful fixes to improve communication: speaking with purpose, training tone, using the STAR method, and practicing real English. He encourages viewers to practice and refine their speaking skills to go from invisible to influential in the workplace.

Takeaways

• 😀 Speak with purpose, not just words. Ensure there's a clear reason for your audience to listen to you.
• 😀 The way we were taught English and communication, especially in South Asian cultures, focused on correctness over confidence.
• 😀 Monotone delivery can make your message sound boring and uninteresting. Use variations in tone, volume, and speed to engage your audience.
• 😀 Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your points clearly and effectively.
• 😀 The modern workplace rewards clarity, presence, and powerful language, not silence or being overly humble.
• 😀 Practice real English, not just textbook English, and focus on how you deliver your message, not just the words you use.
• 😀 Using gestures while speaking increases the impact of your message by up to 50%.
• 😀 Record yourself speaking, listen, and improve. Keep refining your delivery for more effective communication.
• 😀 From invisible to influential: shift from not being noticed to being remembered by speaking with energy and confidence.
• 😀 It's not about having a perfect accent or using big words. It's about speaking with power and purpose.
• 😀 For the next seven days, practice by recording yourself, listening, and improving your tone, energy, and delivery.

Q & A

What is the main problem discussed in the video?

The main issue is that even though people may speak fluent English and possess the necessary skills, they often feel ignored or unheard in meetings. The problem is not their fluency but how they deliver their message.

Why do people feel invisible in meetings despite having good communication skills?

People may feel invisible because their delivery lacks engagement, variation in tone, and clarity. This results in their ideas being overlooked, even when they have valid points to make.

How does the way we are taught to speak impact our communication?

Many people are taught to focus on being correct and passing exams, rather than being confident and impactful in their speech. This leads to a lack of training in how to speak with clarity, presence, and energy.

What specific advice does Sanjiv give to someone like Ansula, who is facing communication issues at work?

Sanjiv advises Ansula to record her speech and analyze it. By doing so, she can recognize issues such as a flat tone, unclear structure, and lack of confidence, which were affecting her delivery.

What is the 'South Asian communication trap' mentioned in the video?

The 'South Asian communication trap' refers to how many South Asians are taught to prioritize correctness over confidence. They are taught to be humble, not interrupt others, and let their work speak for itself, but this approach doesn't work in the modern workplace.

What are the key characteristics of modern workplace communication that Sanjiv emphasizes?

In the modern workplace, communication should be clear, confident, and impactful. The workplace rewards people who speak with clarity, presence, and use powerful language, not those who stay silent or are too humble.

What are the four fixes that can help transform communication?

The four fixes are: 1) Speak with purpose, not just words; 2) Train your tone to avoid monotony; 3) Use the STAR method to structure your ideas clearly; and 4) Practice real English by improving delivery and using gestures.

Can you explain the STAR method and its importance?

The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It helps structure responses and ideas clearly, ensuring the speaker provides context, their role, the actions taken, and the results achieved, making their communication more impactful.

How does tone affect how others perceive your speech?

Tone plays a significant role in keeping the audience engaged. Speaking in a flat, monotone voice makes your message sound boring and becomes background noise. Using variations in tone, volume, and emphasis makes the message more exciting and impactful.

What does Sanjiv recommend for practicing better communication?

Sanjiv suggests practicing in front of a mirror, recording your speech, and listening to it critically. He also recommends mimicking great speakers (shadowing) to improve delivery, energy, and inflection.