Empowering Presentation & Communication - Avoiding Fillers

Introduction

Recently while looking at how knowledgeable professionals can improve their presentation and consequently their communication, I started to notice the use of fillers while speaking even by me. These are used when we collect our thoughts while conversing / presenting on what to say next. It can also come about due to use of very long sentences. These fillers at times get out of control and the object of transmission of information/ knowledge can be defeated. It is observed that at times in an 1 hour lecture it is used 200 times by some!! I actually, counted for 3 speakers. This is not an exception. Most of us who have not corrected ourselves on the inadvertent use of fillers at least 50 times in 1 hour. We may like to correct this to have powerful and impactful presentations.

The most common ones observed by me are: “so”, “like”, “ah/um”, “no”

The others could be: you know, you see, basically, and all, things, I mean, basically, totally, among many others. The meaning is not the dictionary meaning. In this case, the phrase is used as a filler and does not fit into the sentence which would irritate the educated listener.

It may be noted that every time we use the above it may not be inappropriate. Of and on if used, it can also be a good connector to the audience that we are not infallible and humans.

Adverse Impact

In a casual conversation, it would be acceptable. However, in a presentation – physical or online, it can have the following adverse fallouts if used too many times:

-         Listeners get distracted from the topic and start focusing on the filler!

-         The subject cannot be understood

-         Indicates less preparation

-         Indicates less confidence in what one is saying- it is doubtful – our credibility is impacted

-         Some may consider it unprofessional

-         Could be others..

How to Identify?

We are not among those who would bury our heads in the sand and therefore continuously improve ourselves to grow and reach our potential. Most of us have not been trained and have started presenting once, we overcame our fear and got the opportunity. We may not know whether we use the fillers. This we can easily identify in 3 ways: go through recording and note the fillers used by us and how many times; ask a friend/ professional to do the same; involve a professional communication expert if many aspects wished to be improved. Once we are aware we are bound to be vigilant and reduce the usage.

Tips to Overcome?

1.      The phrases used can be identified and its meaning understood. The alternatives can be used. Example: “so” accordingly, therefore, thereupon, consequently & then. Once we know they are fillers and the same do not fit into the sentence we can further see the alternatives below.

2.      Most of us are not accustomed to silence. However, a pause (instead of the filler) could be substituted. It also gives time for your statement to sink in and provides some time for the listener to reflect. However, there cannot be too many pauses or pauses that are too long.

3.      Avoid long sentences which may break the chain of thought thereafter. Break up into shorter sentences.

4.      Take a deep breath instead of using the filler.

5.      It helps where the physical audience is there to look at a specific person/ group in that time.

6.      If using a ppt or board, walking towards to board while composing oneself is also an acceptable practice.

7.      May be more solutions on google.

All the best to have better and better communication and presentation as you go along reaching your dreams and goals.