Ep.49 When Stage Fright Hits the C-Suite with Peter Novak

Even senior leaders and seasoned experts can feel their confidence vanish the moment they speak in English under pressure. In this episode, Louise Jefferies and executive speaking coach Peter Novak explore why stage fright is so common, especially for non-native speakers and what actually helps.They discuss why “calm down” is the wrong advice, how to reframe anxiety as excitement, and why authenticity always beats performance. A grounded, honest conversation about turning fear into focus and finding your true voice in high-stakes situations.

What does it take for an introvert to thrive in leadership? In this episode, Charlotte Boujassy, Director of Talent Development, shares how she learned to navigate networking, public speaking, and career growth as a “well socialised introvert.”We discuss the limits of “fake it until you make it,” why genuine connections matter more than technical skills, and how introverts can turn their natural strengths into a powerful leadership advantage.🎧 Listen now to discover how introversion can fuel authentic leadership and sustainable career success.

In this episode of English Talk, I’m joined by Amira Koraiem to explore how empathy shapes the way we connect and communicate at work. We talk about the hidden barriers behind language perfectionism, inner mental chatter and fear of judgement... and why empathy, both for ourselves and others, is the real key to speaking with confidence.

Think confident speakers are born that way? Think again. In this episode, Douglas shares how anyone can train for confidence like athletes train for sport. Together we discuss how ditching scripts, harnessing fear, and learning to speak with authority is possible without pretending to be an extrovert.

Can introverts succeed and even lead in an extrovert-friendly workplace?In this episode, Patrick Bartosch shares how he learned to act extroverted when it matters, why it’s not about being fake, and how introverts can recharge, communicate effectively, and get heard without burning out. Practical insights, personal stories, and a reminder: you don’t need to be perfect ... just prepared.

It’s not that selling is bad. It’s the way we approach it that causes the anxiety. The overthinking. The self doubt. But what if selling didn’t mean pushing yourself? What if it meant creating a space for truth with no agenda? That’s something introverts are wired for... They just need to see it differently.

Introverts often feel overlooked in the fast-paced world of Pharma & Biotech. Patrick Bartosch and I discuss how to balance authenticity with visibility, use communication as a career lever, and build leadership presence... even if speaking up isn’t your natural style.

As an experiment I uploaded all my social media accounts and marketing material and asked Chat GPT to interview me as if it were a potential client wanting to know more about me and how I work. The episode isn't scripted, I had no idea what it was going to ask me but I think you might find some of its questions interesting!

Kacie and I talk about the difficulty of measuring language level and progress, as well as how these skills often don't transfer from the classroom to the boardroom or team meeting, when you work in a second or third language in industries such as IT, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech where the working language is English.

Have you ever walked out of a meeting with your heart racing… not because you said too much, but because you didn’t fax anything at all? If so this episode is for you