Turn Accent Bias into Leadership Influence
The biggest barrier for non-native English-speaking executives isn’t fluency.
It’s confidence and communication style.
I shared this insight recently as a guest on the BizBlend podcast, along with other lessons I’ve learned coaching leaders around the world:
Your accent and cultural background aren’t “gaps.” They can be strategic assets that boost authenticity.
In high-stakes moments, connection, charisma, and personality matter more than perfect grammar.
Cultural communication styles (high-context vs. low-context) shape how your message lands, and leaders must adapt not to conform, but to connect.
Real, authentic delivery can be more persuasive than flawless delivery, especially when leading diverse teams.
Building awareness of both your own and others’ styles is key to global leadership.
The full conversation above dives into how executives can reframe their voice and presence to lead with impact, accent and all.
Episode Description
In today’s episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with leadership communication coach Tannia Suárez to unpack one of the most overlooked barriers in global leadership — the fear of being judged for language or accent.
With over 15 years of experience coaching executives from more than 30 countries, Tannia reveals why the challenge for non-native English-speaking leaders isn’t just vocabulary or grammar, but confidence, communication style, and cultural context.
This conversation moves beyond “fixing flaws” to leveraging cultural and linguistic diversity as an advantage, offering practical strategies to connect, persuade, and lead authentically in high-stakes, multicultural environments.
Whether you’re pitching investors, leading a global team, or navigating cross-cultural negotiations, this episode will change how you view your voice.
About the Guest
Tannia Suárez is a leadership communication coach who has worked with professionals across finance, biotech, entertainment, and beyond.
She helps executives lead confidently in English — whether it’s their first, second, or third language — by transforming communication insecurities into strategic influence.
With a community of over one million followers, Tannia’s mission is to help leaders embrace their accents, cultural backgrounds, and personal stories as leadership assets, not liabilities.
Get the Proven Framework
Click here to download my proven framework used by global leaders at Apple, Meta, Google and more!
