Have you ever found yourself lost in translation during a meeting conducted entirely in English? Or perhaps you've been tasked to run one and wish you had a more precise command of the language to make your points land effectively. If this resonates with you, then you've landed in the right place.

Welcome back Advanced English Explearners to our channel, your go to resource for boosting your English language skills and turning you into a commanding, fluent communicator. But before we jump in, don't forget to smash that subscribe button and hit the bell icon to ensure that you're not missing out on any of our comprehensive guides and tips on language learning and professional development. 

Now buckle up, because we're about to take a deep dive into an essential skill for career advancement and self assurance. Running successful in person meetings in English. Let's get into it. 

Strategy number one. Preparing and setting the agenda. As the saying goes, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." This rings true especially when you're about to host a meeting. 

For example, kick off the preparation by sending out a crystal clear agenda well in advance. This may sound something like, "Dear team, please find attached the agenda for our meeting scheduled for next week. We will be focusing on X, Y, and Z. I encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with these points and be ready to share your perspectives." This not only sets clear expectations, but it also invites active participation. 

Let's look at another example. As you prepare, familiarize yourself with common phrases used in meetings. For instance, if you need to postpone a point, you can say, "Let's circle back to this at a later time." Or if you want to prioritize a topic, you can say, "let's put this at the top of our agenda." 

Strategy number two, opening the meeting. A meeting that starts on a high note often continues that way. For example, greet attendees warmly with a simple, "Good morning, good afternoon, everyone. I appreciate you making the time for this important meeting today. Now, let's dive straight into the first point on our agenda."

Let's look at another example. You can sprinkle in some positive reinforcement to encourage participation, such as "We had a productive discussion on this topic last time. Let's continue with the same spirit."

Strategy number three, encouraging participation. A one sided meeting is hardly productive. Facilitate an environment where everyone feels that their input is valued. For example, directly inviting colleagues to share their thoughts can work wonders. You could say something like, "John, could you enlighten us with your perspective on this?" or "Sarah, your insights would be valuable on this topic. Could you share your thoughts?" 

Let's look at another example. Acknowledge and appreciate the contributions with phrases like, "That's an excellent point." "Thank you for bringing it up." Or, "I appreciate your insights. They've enriched our discussion."

Strategy number four, managing disagreements. Meetings can sometimes turn into battlegrounds. Your job is to ensure disagreements are handled professionally and respectfully. For example, if two colleagues cannot see eye to eye, you could interject. "I appreciate both viewpoints, however, to move forward let's table this discussion for now and revisit it with additional data or after a one on one discussion.

Let's look at another example. Promote constructive debate by saying something like, "These diverse perspectives are enriching our meeting. Let's continue to keep the conversation respectful and productive."

Strategy number five. Summarizing and concluding. A great meeting is one that ends with clarity. Be the facilitator who leaves no room for confusion. For example, wrap up the meeting by encapsulating the key decisions and next steps. You could say something like, "to wrap up, we've reached a consensus on A, B, and C. Going forward, our action items are X, Y, and Z. Thank you all for your active participation and valuable contributions." 

And if we wanted to have another example, if there are tasks to delegate, ensure that you use clear language. For example, you could say something like, "John, could you please take the lead on X? And Sarah, would you mind handling Y?" 

Remember, mastering these strategies is not only about efficiently running a meeting. They're about showcasing your prowess in the English language, impressing your peers and superiors, and boosting your confidence. 

But these strategies won't turn you into a pro overnight. Consistent practice is the secret sauce. And that's where Explearning Academy comes into play. Our community provides a safe, supportive environment to practice your English communication skills, take part in live workshops, and engage in insightful discussions that are sure to decrease your language anxiety and boost your communication confidence.

Those of you who are committed to taking their English skills to the stratosphere, consider joining Explearning Academy. It's more than just a global community, it is your pathway to becoming fluent in English and reaching social fluency. 

Now, I'm curious to hear from you. Which of these strategies do you think will be most impactful for you? Are there any specific meeting scenarios that you would like us to cover? Share your thoughts in the comments down below. I read every single one of them.

That's it for today Advanced English Explearners. Remember, the road to language mastery is not a sprint, but a marathon. It's all about continuous practice, practice, and, you guessed it, more practice. So, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep Explearning. I will see you in our next lesson, until then, Happy Explearning everyone!

About the Author and the Explearning Academy:

Mary Daphne is an expert in communication, executive skills and professional development. She is the founder of the Explearning Academy, a platform dedicated to helping individuals enhance their social fluency, boost their careers, and elevate their social game. Through immersive group coaching programs like the Executive Communication Lab and self-guided journeys, participants gain the social superpowers and career catapults they've been searching for. If you're ready to take your negotiation skills to the next level and connect with like-minded individuals, visit academy.explearning.co and explore the various plans available. Join the Explearning Academy community and unlock your full potential.

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