Speak with Impact & Own the Room

Issue #11

Hello hello!

I have often said this to the clients I train in executive presence - I strongly believe my childhood had a lot to do with my communication skills. You could say I had my first communication coaching lessons… at the age of 5. I just didn’t know it then.

Growing up as an Indian Air Force kid meant moving every few years -new cities, new schools, new accents, new friends. From Hindon to Gwalior to Bangalore, Shillong, Allahabad, Najafgarh and Delhi, I was constantly learning to adapt, read social cues, observe people carefully, and find new ways to connect - fast.

Because when you’re the new kid every few years, you don’t survive without developing a certain communication agility. And when you move enough, you stop performing and start observing. That, I now realise, was the beginning of my journey toward presence.

Later, living in London for my 2nd post-grad and then in Princeton, USA, added even more layers. Suddenly, there were cultural nuances, humour styles, pace of speech, even pauses that meant different things. You begin to understand that communication isn’t just what you say - it’s how it lands in the culture you’re in.

Every place I lived in taught me something different about the art of expression.

India taught me adaptability.
The UK taught me economy of words.
The US taught me confidence in voice.

And now, I try to bring all of it into every room I walk into - whether as a speaker, coach, anchor, or journalist.

🎙From the Journalist’s Chair

GCCs: India’s Innovation Engine

This month, I’m heading to Hyderabad and Chennai to anchor CXO conversations around a powerful trend: Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India becoming hotbeds for innovation.

Over the last few years, GCCs have evolved far beyond shared services or cost arbitrage. They are now:

• Leading enterprise AI and Gen AI implementation
• Building digital twins, cloud-first models, and cyber-secure infra
• Becoming epicentres for global talent and tech transformation

As a journalist, these shifts are exciting to observe. India isn’t just executing global tech mandates anymore, we’re shaping them.

Through these panels and fireside chats with CTOs, CIOs, and global transformation heads, I’ll be exploring one key question:
​What makes an Indian GCC truly future-forward & global?

Can’t wait to bring you more from the ground in the upcoming editions!

👔 From the Coaching Room

When Communication Misses the Point

This week, I worked with a brilliant founder who was frustrated: “I explained everything clearly, but the team still didn’t get it!”

So we paused. And I asked him one question:
​“But did they comprehend it, or just hear it?”

That changed everything.

We often mistake clarity for comprehension. But they’re not the same. Especially when you’re a founder moving fast, you may speak in shortcuts, assume context, or leave out what seems “obvious” to you, but isn’t for others.

Here’s what we did:
✅ Slowed down delivery
✅ Added a “check for understanding” moment
✅ Asked follow-up questions
✅ Used metaphors and mental models to anchor key messages

Communication isn’t about how clearly you think you spoke.
It’s about how fully they understood.

Communication Tip of the Week 🗣️

Stop using “Just” and “I think” in high-stakes conversations.

The next time you're writing an email or speaking in a meeting, try this quick scan:

❌ “I just wanted to check…”
❌ “I think we should…”
❌ “Maybe we could consider…”

Instead, try:
✔ “Let’s align on…”
✔ “Here’s what I propose…”
✔ “This is worth exploring because…”

These subtle shifts project confidence, not hesitation. And in the corporate world, how you frame your voice shapes how your ideas are taken seriously.

Own your message - no shrinking required!

🚀 Want to work with me?

I help leaders speak and speakers lead!

Here’s how I can help you:

✅ 1:1 Coaching – Speak like a leader and build your executive presence in your industry. Get hyper customised coaching + skilling.
✅ Workshops for Teams – Build communication capability and executive presence across levels in storytelling, leadership communication, personal branding and executive presence.
✅ Pitch & Panel Coaching – From investor decks to industry forums, I help you own the room.
✅ Media & Podcast Training – Speak in soundbites, stay sharp, and bring your best voice forward. I am a journalist, I know what journalists want to hear in your messaging - happy to help!

My 1:1 coaching slots are now open for August 2025. Hit reply and book your free discovery call!

📩 You can also DM me on LinkedIn Let’s find the right format for you.

If this edition of my newsletter sparked a thought, a smile, or a shift, forward it to a colleague or friend who could use it today.

And if you’re new here, you can read previous editions here ​

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Meanwhile, take that mic and speak up. Make yourself seen and heard!
Until next week, it's goodbye! 😊

Warmly,
​Mridu Bhandari 💫🎤​
Public Speaking Coach | Leadership Communication Expert | TV Anchor & Journalist
Founder & Chief Mentor, Mentorleap
​Helping you own the room & speak with impact!

LEARN ABOUT SPEAK WITH IMPACT