04-Sep-2025

Greetings from Fluent & Fearless,

Leadership isn’t only about titles — it’s about communication, initiative, and trust. This week we’ll explore how to use the phrase “take the lead” naturally in English, while also looking at cultural angles on leadership in bilingual workplaces.

ESL Word/Phrase of the Week

English Phrase: “Take the Lead.”

Meaning: To step forward first, guide a project, or show initiative.

Example Sentences:

• “She decided to take the lead in the presentation.”

• “If no one volunteers, I’ll take the lead.”

Quick Tip: Imagine a group walking: the leader is literally the one walking in front.

• “Él decidió tomar la iniciativa en la reunión”.

• “Si nadie habla primero, yo llevaré la batuta”.

Highlighted Language Mistake of the Week

Common mistake: Using “make the lead” instead of “take the lead.”

• ❌ Incorrect: “She made the lead in the project.”

• ✅ Correct: “She took the lead in the project.”

Why? In English, “take” pairs naturally with this phrase — it signals action and responsibility. “Make” changes the meaning and sounds unnatural.

Examples:

• ✅ “He usually takes the lead on new projects.”

• ❌ “He usually makes the lead on new projects.”

Memory Trick: Think of “take the lead” as taking responsibility — if you remember to use “take,” you’ll always sound natural and professional.

Punctuation Tip of the Week

Spotlight: Exclamation (!) and Question (?) Marks

What is it? These marks show strong feeling (exclamation) or a direct question (question).

Examples:

• “That presentation was amazing!”

• “When is the deadline for the report?”

Quick Tip:
In English, you only use one question or exclamation mark at the end — never double or triple like in informal Spanish (e.g., “¡¡Gracias!!”).

Nota en español: En español, las preguntas y exclamaciones llevan signos de apertura invertidos (¿ ¡) y signos de cierre normales (? !), mientras que en inglés solo se escribe el signo de cierre normales.

Featured Story of the Week

When “Taking the Lead” Means More Than Speaking First

In cross-cultural workplaces, leadership is not always about who talks the loudest. For many semi-bilingual professionals, the phrase “take the lead” can feel intimidating. Does it mean you have to dominate? Interrupt? Always have the perfect words ready? The truth is simpler, and more encouraging: “taking the lead” is about responsibility, not perfection.

Let’s start with a story.

A bilingual project manager from Argentina I once worked with — let’s call her Laura — had just joined an American-based team. She was competent and confident in Spanish, but in English she still hesitated. In her first meeting, the manager asked, “Who can take the lead on preparing next week’s client conference call?” It was a project for one of their big clients based in Madrid.

Laura didn’t raise her hand. She thought, “I can do it, but I need more time. My English isn’t perfect yet.”

But here’s the twist. Later, when a smaller group discussed next steps in Spanish, Laura jumped right in. She outlined a practical agenda clearly, assigned tasks, and made sure deadlines were realistic. One of her colleagues said: “Laura, ya estás liderando. Solo necesitas encontrar la confianza para hacerlo también en inglés”.

That was the turning point. The next week, she said to the American group: “I can take the lead on preparing the agenda.” Simple words. No fancy vocabulary. Just clarity. And guess what? Her teammates didn’t judge her English — they admired her initiative.

The lesson? Taking the lead isn’t about perfect language; it’s about stepping forward when others hesitate. If you want to practice:

• Start small. Volunteer to summarize a meeting.

• Take initiative in emails: “I’ll take the lead on drafting the proposal.”

• Use confidence phrases: “I can take the lead on this. I’ll handle this part.”

Cross-cultural leadership also has layers. In the U.S., initiative is highly valued. Silence may be misinterpreted as lack of interest. In Latin cultures, teamwork and consensus often come first, and “taking the lead” may be more about harmony than speed. Knowing this difference helps bilingual professionals navigate without feeling “too aggressive” or “too quiet.”

So, the next time someone asks who will take the lead, remember Laura’s story.

Leadership starts with a sentence.

Cultural Corner – Idiom/Slang of the Week

Idiom: “Step up to the plate.”

Meaning: To accept responsibility.

Example:

• “When the project got tough, Maria stepped up to the plate.”

Spanish Equivalent: “Dar la cara”.

Ejemplo:

• “Cuando hubo un problema, ella dio la cara”.

Cultural Note: The English idiom comes from baseball. The Spanish phrase feels more personal — facing challenges directly, not avoiding them. Both highlight responsibility, but the imagery differs.

Reader Poll / Puzzle / Comment

Riddle of the Week:
“I’m invisible, but I decide who speaks first. I can make someone shine, or leave them behind. What am I?”

(Hint: It’s not language itself, but something that exists, or doesn’t, in every meeting.)

Answer: Confidence.

Confidence is invisible but shapes who speaks first, who takes the lead, and who stands out — or who hangs back. Taking the lead doesn’t mean being perfect — it means being present. Even a simple sentence can change how others see your role in a conversation.