Speaking up

How to sound more confident on video calls

By Anton, English in Meetings

Video calls add friction that in person meetings do not have. There is the mute button, the half second of lag, and the awkward moment when two people start talking at once and both stop. For a non-native speaker, that friction can be enough to keep you quiet the whole call.

The good news is that confidence on video is mostly about a few small habits, not better English.

Three lines that help you hold your place

• "Quick one before we move on."
• "Sorry, I think we talked over each other. Please go ahead."
• "I will drop this in the chat as well."

The first line claims your turn before the topic closes. The second handles the talk over moment with grace instead of both of you going silent, and it quietly puts you next in line. The third lets you reinforce your point in writing, which is a gift when accents and audio make speech harder to follow.

Three habits that do the rest

Come off mute a moment before you speak, so you do not lose your first word. Say the person's name when you reply to them, which makes you sound engaged and in control. And when you finish a point, stop cleanly rather than trailing off, so the floor passes smoothly back to the group.

Your challenge this week

On your next call, unmute one beat early and open with "Quick one before we move on." That single habit will get your voice into the room.