Learn how to take 100% responsibility for your results, get back in control, re-energized and motivated
Cheryl Nankoo is an experienced sales consultant and executive coach. She is passionate about helping people bring out the positives in themselves and each other. Her purpose is to develop people and organisations to make the world a better place. For over 17 years she has worked as a sales professional helping many organisations from large blue chip companies to start ups to grow their business.
As Certified NLP Trainer, she has coached and mentored over a hundred people from all walks of life including senior executives, board members, sales professionals, elite athletes and body builders. The aim of her coaching is to give people the mindset for success to help them have more of what they want in their life and less of what they don’t want. Cheryl is a role model for anyone that is being held back by limiting beliefs. Her father said that she would never be able to drive, go to university or work in the corporate world. At the age of 21 not only did she graduate and get a job in the corporate world, she also financed her own car and bought her first property in London. The doubts continued throughout her career with managers telling her that her being petite and female would be a problem in a male dominated environment but she proved them all wrong. As a motivational speaker, Cheryl shares what drove her to success. Passionate about health and fitness, she is also a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Nutrition Adviser. She follows a body building training regime and also coaches people on how to get fit whilst having a busy work schedule. Cheryl loves travelling the world and experiencing new cultures! In the last year she has found a real love for India and a deeper connection with her native country, Mauritius.
15/07/2026
Stop saying, “Just checking in.”
At least, not on its own.
I know the intention is good.
You want to follow up.
You want to keep things moving.
You don’t want to sound too demanding.
But “just checking in” can feel vague.
Checking in about what?
What do you need?
Is there a decision?
Is there a deadline?
Try this instead:
“I’m following up on the proposal. Do you think you’ll be able to send your feedback by Wednesday?”
That sentence does something different.
It gives context.
It gives a clear ask.
And it makes it easier for the other person to respond.
Because better leadership language is not about being softer.
It is about being clearer.
03/07/2026
Leadership Language Lab
Small phrases that change trust, clarity and ownership at work.
Today’s shift:
Stop saying “let me know.”
It sounds helpful, but it can leave responsibility vague.
Let you know what?
By when?
With what decision?
In what format?
Try:
“Can you send me your view by Thursday so we can make a decision on Friday?”
Better leadership language does not just sound supportive.
It makes the next step easier to take.
Follow for practical Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
30/06/2026
Leadership language starts before you speak.
Over the last 30 days, we’ve looked at the words that create trust, the sentences that create defensiveness, and the questions that create clarity.
But the deeper truth is this:
Better leadership language does not begin with better scripts.
It begins with greater awareness.
The assumption you make.
The story you believe.
The state you bring into the room.
The intention behind your words.
People don’t only hear what you say.
They feel what you create when you say it.
That is the heart of Think. Speak. Lead.
Follow for more leadership communication insights.
29/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 28:
Stop saying “It’s not a big deal.”
I know the intention is usually reassurance.
You want to calm things down.
You want to reduce the pressure.
You want someone to stop worrying.
But when something feels big to the other person, that sentence can make them feel dismissed.
They may stop talking.
But that does not mean they feel better.
Try:
“I can see this feels important. Let’s look at what needs attention.”
Better leadership language does not minimise what people feel.
It helps them find a clear next step.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights
28/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 28:
Stop saying “It’s not a big deal.”
I know the intention is usually reassurance.
You want to calm things down.
You want to reduce the pressure.
You want someone to stop worrying.
But when something feels big to the other person, that sentence can make them feel dismissed.
They may stop talking.
But that does not mean they feel better.
Try:
“I can see this feels important. Let’s look at what needs attention.”
Better leadership language does not minimise what people feel.
It helps them find a clear next step.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
27/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 27:
Stop saying “We’ve already discussed this.”
I know the intention is usually to save time.
You feel the conversation is going in circles.
You want people to move forward.
You want the decision to stick.
But under pressure, that sentence can shut people down.
They may stop asking.
But that does not mean they are clear.
Try:
“Let’s pause. What still feels unresolved?”
Better leadership language keeps the conversation moving without closing it too quickly.
Because clarity matters more than speed.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
26/06/2026
Stop saying, “Why wasn’t this done?”
I know the intention is usually accountability.
You need to understand what happened.
You need to know where things broke down.
You need the work to move forward.
But under pressure, that question can sound like blame.
And when people feel blamed, they often protect themselves before they explain clearly.
Try this instead:
“What got in the way?”
That question still gets to the issue.
But it lowers defensiveness.
Because leadership under pressure is not about avoiding accountability.
It is about asking in a way that helps people tell you the truth.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
25/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 25:
Stop saying “Don’t worry about it.”
I know the intention is reassurance.
You want to calm someone down.
You want them to know things are okay.
You want to reduce pressure.
But vague reassurance does not always create clarity.
Sometimes people still worry.
They just stop asking.
Try:
“Here’s what is okay, and here’s what still needs attention.”
Better leadership language gives reassurance and direction.
Because under pressure, people do not only need comfort.
They need clarity.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
24/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 24:
Stop saying “Can we talk?” without context.
You may simply mean:
“I need more time.”
“Let’s discuss this properly.”
“I don’t want to rush the conversation.”
But the person hearing it may think:
“Have I done something wrong?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Am I in trouble?”
Try:
“Can we talk later? Nothing bad — I just want to give this proper time.”
Better leadership language reduces unnecessary anxiety.
Because communication is not just about what you mean.
It is also about what your words might create in someone else.
Follow for daily Think. Speak. Lead. insights.
23/06/2026
30 days of better leadership language.
This week: THINK + SPEAK — communication under pressure.
Day 23:
Stop saying “I need this ASAP.”
ASAP often creates pressure without priority.
People don’t always know if it means:
In the next hour.
By the end of the day.
Or before everything else they’re already working on.
Try:
“I need this by 3pm because it affects the client update.”
Better leadership language makes urgency clear.
Because people respond better when they understand the timing, the reason and the priority.
