Local to global: How English skills unlock a career in leadership

Samantha Ball
Two coworkers discussing some sticky notes on a class window
Reading time: 4 minutes

Of the 1.5 billion English speakers in the world, over half learned it as a second or additional language.

The language of business, English has become a foundational skill for anyone looking to work in an international business or at a leadership level, and many English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers find themselves working in English on a daily basis.

But working in your second or third language comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

We spoke to five global leaders about the role English has played in their careers, the challenges of being an ESL speaker, and how businesses can create a culture where everyone has a voice.

How English skills unlock a career in leadership
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

A passport to leadership

Strong English skills open doors. More than three-quarters of people with advanced English skills are in senior or leadership roles, compared to just 32% of those with limited English proficiency.

app Languages CTO, , describes English as a passport for this new world of opportunities, opening many, many doors I wouldnt have had access to.

Theres a cumulative effect, with one door opening and leading to the next.

Brushing up on his English skills was the spark that won Perrucci a scholarship to Denmark. That semester blossomed into a six-year stay, multiple degrees, his first international job opportunity, and a career with well-known global brands.

Whether it was getting onto a top MBA program or that first role at a big international company, for all the leaders we spoke to, English has proved to be a career catalyst.

More diversity, more innovation, more revenue

For companies looking to innovate and stand out in a competitive global market, an international team is essential.

Were aiming to build models of childcare that dont exist at the moment, explains Founder and CEO, .

To do that, we need diversity of thought. With an international team, its more likely that someone will say hey, I was living in Cape Verde for a while, and I saw this interesting thing.

Its an approach that pays off. found that businesses with more diverse management teams are more innovative, leading to 19% higher revenues.

Global customers, global team

A more diverse team can also help businesses stay close to their customers.

As technology has made it easier to operate across multiple countries, businesses quickly find themselves responding to the different needs, preferences, and expectations of customers all over the world.

Reflecting the global nature of our business in our workforce means we can build a better, more effective service and a more successful business as a result, explains , CEO of .

To help them stay close to their 5.2 million members across 420 cities, Zeecks team at InterNations is made up of more than 50 different nationalities.

English is the main language both for the InterNations team and platform, helping them create a sense of oneness and community by using a shared language.

The ultimate brain training

The leaders we interviewed spoke, on average, four languages, with many working across multiple languages on a day-to-day basis.

That experience of jumping between different languages also develops important leadership skills.?

When you speak multiple languages, explains Perrucci, different parts of the brain have to work together and make connections It teaches your brain to be flexible about what you see and the way you interpret it.

Zeeck likened it to working out: Just as going to the gym improves your physical wellbeing, the mental challenge of learning a new language is good exercise for the brain. Its one of the reasons he provides all of his team language training.

The mental load of language

But hopping between languages and navigating different cultural nuances can take its toll.

People whose first language is English often overlook the computing power it takes to work in your second or third language, explains?, Managing Director of International Wellbeing,?, who only spends around a third of his time speaking his mother tongue.

Even when colleagues are fluent in the language you're communicating in, it might still take them a bit more energy than you expect, he continues. By Friday afternoon, for example, Im struggling to think fluently in whichever language!.

The challenge of speaking up

For those who are less confident in their English skills, it can significantly impact the way they contribute at work.

Less than half (48%)?of ESL speakers feel comfortable speaking up at work, and?only 10%?of employees with limited English proficiency felt they could express themselves fully at work.

The dynamic can change depending on whos in the room. I see the difference when ESL speakers are on calls with confident, fluent English speakers, adds?, CEO and Founder of?.

They speak less, she continues, they caveat their contributions with I might be wrong, and you can see their English actually worsens because they feel more stressed.

Without the right culture and support, businesses miss out on the benefits of an international team theyve recruited.

Conscious leadership

The task of building a team and helping overcome the challenges of global working falls to business leaders.

The five leaders we spoke to shared practical tips for supporting global teams, including acknowledging and proactively addressing differences, avoiding interrupting ESL speakers, and using voice notes for sensitive communication to allow tone and emotion to come through.

More fundamentally, ESL speakers need business leaders to build a culture where its ok to make mistakes.

Leaders with first-hand experience of being an ESL speaker are uniquely placed to understand their increasingly global teams, pre-empt their challenges, and nurture a culture that allows difference to shine.

The journey from local roles to global leadership positions hinges on strong communication skills. The stories shared by our leaders demonstrate how English proficiency not only unlocks individual career potential but also drives organizational success through innovation and diverse perspectives. By fostering a culture that values and supports language learning, businesses can harness these benefits, ensuring their teams are prepared to excel on the global stage.

Find out how app Language Solutions for Work can support your workforce here

This article is part of app Languages series,?Global Voices: Leaders on Language and Business, an exclusive exploration into the pivotal role of language in achieving international business excellence. For more in this series, check out the leaders full interviews, coming soon to?

Read the blog post 'Language proficiency and succession planning: Developing future leaders'.

More blogs from app

  • Expressing love around the world: Interesting facts and how to say "I love you" in different languages

    By Sam Colley
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Love is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and languages. For those learning another language, understanding how to express love in various tongues can be both fascinating and useful. Whether you're planning to travel, connect with friends from different backgrounds, or simply expand your linguistic repertoire, knowing how to say "I love you" in different languages as well as the cultural context, can be a beautiful way to show appreciation and affection. Let's take a look at some of the many ways to express this timeless sentiment and some interesting facts.

    1. Cultural nuances:

    In many cultures, the way you express love can carry different weights and meanings. For example, in Japanese, "ۤƤ" (aishiteru) is a very strong expression of love, often reserved for serious relationships, whereas "ä" (daisuki) is more commonly used among friends and family.
    However, French, often called the language of love, uses "je t'aime" to express love as a romantic phrase that can be used for both partners and close family members.

    2. Gender differences:

    Some languages have gender-specific ways of saying "I love you." For instance, in Arabic, "????" (a?ibbuka) is used when a woman says "I love you" to a man, and "????" (a?ibbuki) is used when a man says it to a woman. Similarly, in Hindi, men say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karta hoon) and women say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karti hoon).

    3. Formal vs. informal:

    Some languages have formal and informal ways of expressing love. In Spanish, "te amo" is more formal and used for romantic love, while "te quiero" is more casual and can be used for friends and family.
    ?

  • A teacher sat at the front of the class holding a book reading it to a class of young children who are sat on the floor

    Romantic Readers and classroom ideas to celebrate Valentines day

    By Iram Ahmed
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Love is in the air on February 14th, with hearts, red roses and boxes of chocolates everywhere. Were all set for the big day, and to help you prepare as well, here are six of our favorite love stories for learners of all ages and levels. There are also plenty of fun ideas for your classroom.

    1.?Cinderella?(Level 1)

    Poor Cinderella lives with her stepmother and two horrible stepsisters. They treat her badly, making her cook and clean, while they relax and wear beautiful clothes. However, one night, Cinderella gets the chance to sneak away and attend a fabulous ball. She meets a handsome princebut must run away before he discovers her true identity. With only a glass shoe to help him, will the prince ever find Cinderella?

    How to use this Reader in class:

    Its no surprise that the story has a happy ending. After reading the story, have the learners draw a picture and write about Cinderellas new life in the castle, with her loving new family.

    2.?Lady and the Tramp?(Level 3)

    This classic Disney story tells the tale of two young dogs who come from different backgrounds. Lady lives in a house while Tramp lives on the street. However, one day, Lady is forced to leave the house and the life she knows. Tramp teaches her about life on the streets and the two dogs fall in love but with the dog-catcher always chasing them, will the story have a happy ending?

    How to use this reader in class:

    After reading the story, why not watch the animated version with your students? They can choose their favorite character from the movie and write a description of them.

    Looking for more romantic Readers for young learners? How about?The Little Mermaid?(Level 2) or?Aladdin?(Level 5)? Theres something for everyone?in our catalog.

    3.?Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl?(Level 2)

    If your teenagers are looking for more adventure than romance, this Reader has both. Follow crazy Jack Sparrow, handsome Will and brave Elizabeth as they fight pirates and uncover the curse of the Black Pearl. But will Elizabeth and Will survive the dangerous life on the seven seas?

    How to use this Reader in class:

    After reading the story, why not ask your students to write a review of it? Its a great way for them to summarize the plot and share their opinion.

    4.?Pride and Prejudice?(Level 5)

    A timeless classic,?Pride and Prejudice?tells the story of young Elizabeth Bennett. As the oldest daughters in a family of five, she and her sister Jane are both expected to find good husbands and marry soon. But will Elizabeth find love, or will no man be good enough for her?

    How to use this Reader in class:

    While reading the story, learners can keep a diary, writing entries in the voice of Elizabeth Bennett. This helps them to demonstrate their understanding of the novel and encourages them to have a more empathetic reaction to the storys heroine. They can either write the diary entries using typical language from Jane Austens day, or updating it to more modern language.

    Heres an example:

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Darcy today and found him rather rude and reserved. I imagine he feels this country life is inferior and that the locals are uncultured simpletons!

    or

    Met Mr Darcy today C what a stuck-up dork! He just stood there, looking down his nose at everyone you can see he thinks hes better than us locals.

    If you think your teenage learners would enjoy a different modern or classic tale of romance, check out our readers?. There are plenty to choose from, including?Romeo and Juliet?(Level 3),?Love Actually?(Level 4) and?Madame Bovary?(Level 6).

    5.?Tales from the Arabian Nights?(Level 2)?

    What would you do if you needed to fascinate a king to save your life? This is the problem Sheherezade faces when she marries a king who has killed all his previous wives. So she tells her new husband exciting, mesmerizing stories every night and always ends the tale with the king wanting to hear more. She tells him stories of adventure, love and mystery and you can read her stories too in this Level 2 Reader.

    How to use this reader in class:

    After reading the book, have students vote on their favorite story from Sheherezade. They can then work in groups to present a short play of one of the stories, working together to write a short script.

    6.?Wuthering Heights?(Level 5)?

    Unfortunately, the path of true love isnt always easy. Set in 19th Century Yorkshire, this tragic romance follows the story of Catherine and Heathcliff. The two childhood friends grow up together very closely. However, although she loves him deeply, Catherine cant marry Heathcliff because of his lower social status. Instead, she marries another man, Edgar. How will Heathcliff react to this news? Will Catherine and Edgar be happy together?

    How to use this reader in class:

    At one point in?Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff runs away from home because he thinks Catherine is embarrassed by him and doesnt love him. Have the learners write a letter from Catherine to Heathcliff at that point, expressing her regrets about why they cant be together. It provides students with the opportunity to use phrases such as?If only,?I wish?and?I should have?whilst demonstrating their understanding of the novel so far.

    If Yorkshire moors and Arabian nights arent quite what your students are looking for, there are more tales of romance on our site. Choose from modern-day love stories such as?Notting Hill?(Level 3) and?Lisa in London?(Level 1) or classics like?Anna Karenina?(Level 6) and?Persuasion?(Level 2).

    If you enjoyed this post here are some more practical posts to get your students engaged in reading, 'How to bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom'?and 'How to motivate reluctant readers'.

  • Two people playing video games on the sofa together

    How video games help language learning

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    The evolution of video games and global connectivity

    Video games have come a long way since their inception in the late 20th century. From the simple pixelated screens of 'Pong' and 'Space Invaders', we've entered an era where video games are complex, immersive and incredibly detailed. The evolution of video games has not only been technological but also cultural.

    With the rise of the internet and online gaming, players from different corners of the world can now connect, collaborate and compete in real-time. This global connectivity has transformed video games into a social platform, where language barriers are often encountered and interestingly, overcome.