Leading in English

There is a global conversation going on, and it is happening in English. One in four people, worldwide, now speaks English, with that number expected to grow into the foreseeable future. If you are among the tens of millions of citizens of the global village who rely on English in your everyday work life and you know that your professional fortunes are closely tied to your ability to communicate effectively in that language, this book is for you. Most such resources focus primarily on helping beginners or intermediate-level non-native speakers develop a command of English. By contrast, Leading in English was written for experienced international professionals-native- and non-native speakers alike-who use English in their everyday work lives. It is for everyone who finds that their ability to communicate effectively with their colleagues, superiors, or staff is being hampered by the confusion and common misunderstandings that often arise when speaking across cultural and linguistic barriers. Ultimately, it aims to help you not only communicate information more effectively in English, but also to speak the language with greater confidence, ease, and authenticity-whether you're sharing information in a presentation, communicating with your staff, or having an informal conversation with workmates in a social setting. The many instructive narratives and real-life stories you will encounter throughout Leading in English were drawn from the experiences of numerous international professionals who were asked to share their struggles with communicating in English and to ponder their relationships with the language. As you read those accounts you will recognize your own struggles reflected in the experiences of others, while gaining valuable insights into the varying experiences of colleagues from a vast range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. With the help of the authors' sage advice and guidance-always delivered with a touch of good-natured humor-you will learn to overcome those struggles and to enhance your ability to work more effectively with coworkers and clients, to speak more confidently to an international audience, and to strengthen your communication skills in all areas. Whether you are a native- or a non-native speaker, working at home or abroad, Leading in English is a must-have power tool for success, everywhere in the global village where English is the language of business.