Pace: The Secret to Influencing Your Audience’s Emotions

Welcome back to the Body Talk Brief, where we will provide biweekly tips on the science of communication and what you can do to strengthen your communication skills.

If you’re just joining us, you can learn more about Body Talk and what we can do for you here. We just revamped our website! Check it out!

Body Talk is the global leader in evidence-based training on the psychology of communication.?

We deliver communication courses, coaching, virtual learning and live events with our clients worldwide, with over 130,000 people trained from 46 countries over the last 24 years!

And great news! Our CEO and Founder, Richard Newman, has a new book! You can order Lift Your Impact, here in the UK and here in the US! For bulk orders contact our team

Pace: The Secret to Influencing?Your Audience’s Emotions?

In the first part of this series, we explored how our voice can be a powerful tool in communicating feelings. Like a singer who brings words to life through phrasing, tone, and harmony, we can transform the way people respond to our words by applying the principles of the 5 Ps: Pitch, Pace, Pause, Projection, and Passion. This time, we’ll dive deeper into one of these elements: Pace.

Pace and pitch are like twins; they amplify each other when used effectively. Just as a composer uses tempo to convey emotion in music, we can use pace in our speech to evoke specific responses from our audience. A high pace can create a sense of excitement, while a low pace can lend gravity and importance to your message.

The Importance of Pacing Your Speech

Learning to pace your speech is crucial, especially in high-pressure situations where fear might cause you to rush. When your heart rate increases, it’s natural to want to get through what you have to say as quickly as possible. However, this can result in a message that feels hurried and lacks impact.

Try this exercise to see the effect of pace on communication:

• Say the following sentence at a fast pace with a high pitch: “I want to reassure you that we will think seriously about everything you have said and will create a thoughtful plan.”
• Now, say the same words with a slow pace and a low pitch.

Notice how the message changes? In the first example, you might sound panicked and unsure, making your audience feel uneasy. In the second, you convey control and confidence, reassuring your listeners.

This demonstrates how pace, when combined with pitch, can significantly influence how your message is received. Whether you want to convey excitement or authority, the way you pace your words can guide your audience’s emotional response.

Switching Up Your Pace

It’s also important to know when to switch pace. Some senior leaders might think that maintaining a low pace and deep tone reflects authority. But consider this scenario:

• In a team meeting, say at a slow pace with a low pitch: “I’m really excited about the year ahead, so let’s get out there and make amazing things happen.”
• Now, try it with a high pitch and fast pace.

The difference is stark. In the first instance, your excitement may not come across as genuine; instead, it couwld sound forced or even sarcastic. In the second, the quickened pace and heightened pitch infuse the statement with energy and enthusiasm, making it more likely to motivate your team.

Understanding when to adjust your pace is key to ensuring your message is received as intended. Whether you need to project seriousness or excitement, your pace will guide your audience on how to react.

Practical Tips for Mastering Pace

The most crucial aspect of pacing is knowing that slowing down doesn’t mean stretching out your words until they become incomprehensible. Instead, it’s about placing longer gaps between the words to give them more weight and significance. For example, saying “you will see results” with deliberate pauses between the words can create a much stronger impact than rushing through the sentence.

To help manage your pace, try using the arrow technique:

• Forwards arrow (→): Use this to remind yourself to speed up.
• Backwards arrow (←): Use this to signal when you need to slow down.

By consciously controlling your pace, you can ensure that your message is not only heard but also felt by your audience. Remember, the way you deliver your words is just as important as the words themselves.

Thank you for joining us for another edition of the Body Talk Brief.

Check out our ultimate guide to Advanced Presentation Skills for a more thorough introduction to what we do and tangible advice on how to apply Body Talk to your life. And as always, you can contact us here or email us at [email protected].?

Can we help with your communication skills training? We run fun and interactive courses, workshops and masterclasses to increase your team’s confidence, influence and authority. Check them out here.

Don’t forget you can order Lift Your Impact by Richard Newman here in the UK and here in the US! Bulk purchases can be made here.