Be More Andrea: Find the Motivation to Invest in Your Speaking Skills This New Year
New Year’s resolutions: to make or not to make? (image: solidcolours/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
From Self-Doubt to Confidence: One Professional’s Journey to Mastering Communication Skills in London
January. Meh.
Nicotine patches. Vegan cheese. Gym memberships.
The LinkedIn algorithm has buried all the 'seasons' greetings' posts and shoved to the top of the pile new content about 'fresh starts', 'goal-setting' and 'emotional check-ins'…
But we know what we're talking about: New Year's resolutions.
It feels like it has become unfashionable to make New Year's resolutions, unless they're semi-ironic ones like 'exercise less', 'stop caring'.
I sympathise. I rarely make NYRs. I don't keep to the few I do make (tried intermittent fasting last January: felt so good, but it was so hard… and I gave up in about April).
January is my busiest time of year
I may not like resolutions, but the fact is, they are my bread and butter. January is my busiest time of year.
This is the month when many people decide it’s finally time to soften their accent, or improve their public speaking and communication skills.
Is this you?
(If it is, relax. I'm now going to market my skills to you in the subtlest possible way)
This is not the real Andrea, whose name is not really Andrea, it’s Jiā Xīn. This is not the real Jiā Xīn either. Confused?
Ok, seriously - this is ‘Andrea’.
If you feel self-conscious about how you come across in meetings or presentations, or struggle to articulate your ideas credibly in high-pressure situations, Andrea's story might resonate. I asked her to tell me about the impact our work together has had, over the last two years.
The Turning Point: a client-facing role
Back in January 2023, I started working with Andrea.
She is originally from China. Her real name is Jiā Xīn; yes, as many Chinese readers will know, the first taste many non-Westerners get of speech barriers in the English-speaking world is that nobody can say their names properly.
Ironic, no? Being misunderstood because of other people's poor pronunciation skills!
A fluent English speaker who'd studied in the UK and US, when Andrea first approached me, she was at the beginning of her economic consultancy career, transitioning into a client-facing role.
She was navigating the nuances of professional communication in London—a city known for its fast-paced, competitive business environment.
“I quickly realised how crucial it is to sound polished and present yourself confidently in external meetings as your career progresses,” Andrea told me. “I was motivated to enhance how I communicated to make a great impression on clients and build long-lasting professional relationships.”
Does this sound familiar?
Many professionals—whether they’re stepping into a new role, aiming for a promotion, or simply striving to feel more at ease in their day-to-day interactions—face the same challenge: knowing that their voice and presence don’t yet reflect their expertise and potential.
But recognising the need is only half the battle. The other half is finding the motivation to take action.
Why Communication Skills Matter
If you’re wondering whether investing in your speaking skills is worth it, consider this:
You've watched colleagues or friends, super-smart and competent people, who struggle to explain what they know. So people don't realise how clever they are.
You've also watched confident people, who haven't put the work in, just wing it in presentations and big meetings, and somehow succeed. So people don't realise - til it's too late, maybe - how stupid they are.
From delivering persuasive pitches to navigating tough conversations, how you say it can often be as important as what you say.
Andrea recognised early on that refining her communication skills wasn’t just about avoiding misunderstandings or neutralising her accent—it was about building trust, commanding respect, and fostering meaningful relationships.
“Thanks to Anthony’s support, I now feel more confident and carry myself with a calm demeanour that commands respect in professional settings,” she wrote.
Andrea’s journey underscores a crucial point: communication skills are not an optional add-on for career success. They are foundational.
And remember, they're 'skills' - not 'talents'. So they can be improved.
The Challenge of Getting Started
Of course, deciding to improve your speaking skills isn’t always easy. The process can feel daunting, especially if you’re juggling a demanding career or dealing with self-doubt.
Andrea admitted that when she started, she didn’t anticipate just how transformative the journey would be. “The progress happened so naturally that I didn’t even notice it at first,” she explained.
This is important: growth in communication isn’t always dramatic or immediate.
Instead, it’s a gradual, cumulative process that builds over time. It starts with small, actionable changes—whether it’s fine-tuning your accent, improving your tone, or practising your presence in meetings.
In fact, it's often better for your sense of authenticity if it isn't an overnight transformation - if people don't immediately notice a difference. It can sometimes be hard for you and others to get used to the New You if she arrives all of a sudden, with her 'brand new' accent.
New Year Motivation
So, how can Andrea’s experience help you take the first step in 2025?
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Just like learning a new technical skill or pursuing a certification, improving your speaking skills is an investment in your professional future. The benefits ripple through every aspect of your career, from the relationships you build to the confidence you carry into the boardroom, or into client meetings, or out on the conference dias.
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Andrea’s work on her speaking was successful because her sessions were tailored to her goals and rate of progress: both of these evolved and changed over time anyway. “Over the year and a half we worked together, Anthony tailored our sessions based on my progress and personal needs,” she said. Finding a coach who can meet you where you are and provide a structured, personalized plan is crucial; and funnily enough, that's exactly what I do!
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As Andrea discovered, improvement doesn’t always happen in giant leaps. It’s about recognising the small wins—the meeting that went better than expected, the pitch that landed well, the moment you felt more at ease than you did a month ago.
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For Andrea, the transformation wasn’t just professional. “Working with Anthony not only improved my accent but also transformed my confidence and communication skills,” she said. Whether it’s building rapport with clients or feeling more at ease in your personal life, the benefits of strong communication skills extend far beyond the workplace.
Why This Year Is Your Year
It's corny, of course, but there’s a reason why the New Year is such a powerful time to start: it’s a natural reset, a moment when we’re collectively looking ahead with optimism and ambition. If you’ve been putting off improving your communication skills, let this be the year you commit.
Andrea - ok come on, Jiā Xīn - shows what’s possible when you make that commitment.
From feeling self-conscious about her accent and presence, to confidently navigating high-stakes meetings with ease, her journey is proof that investing in yourself can pay dividends.
“The positive impact on my career and personal growth has been profound,” she said.
And the same could be true for you.
(In case you’re wondering, I did not pay Jiā Xīn to say all that lovely stuff)
Ready to Start?
If reading about Jiā Xīn has struck a chord, take a moment to reflect on what better communication could mean for you in 2025.
Perhaps it’s that big promotion, a better connection with your colleagues, or simply the confidence to speak up and be heard.
Wherever you are in your journey, the first step is deciding to start. Let this be the year you invest in your voice—and in yourself.
Are you ready to make 2025 the year you your communication skills? Explore how personalised coaching can help you achieve your goals.