"The Power of the Pause: How Eliminating Filler Words Transformed My Client's Public Spaking"
Kevin McIntyre, MSc., ECC
TEDx Coach, Professional Speaker, Professor of Business Communication, Professional Development Training & Coaching, Company Event and Conference Speaker, University Guest Lecturer
Last evening, I had the privilege of working with two clients who shared a common struggle: they wanted to ditch their reliance on filler words—those pesky “ums,” “uhs,” "so(s)" and “likes” that undermine clarity and confidence. By the end of our session, their delivery wasn’t just improved—it was transformed. The secret? Powerful pausing.
The Problem: Filler Words Steal Your Authority
Filler words are the nervous tics of communication. They creep into our speech when we’re unsure, rushed, or disconnected from our message. My clients knew this all too well. “can't stop saying "um" and "so" , one admitted. “this is very hard,” said the other.
The Solution: Replace Filler Words with Strategic Silence, not just stopping for a moment but...
Instead of focusing solely on stopping filler words, we shifted their mindset to replacing them. Here’s what we practiced:
1. Pause between sentences. Silence isn’t awkward—it’s powerful. A deliberate pause gives the audience time to absorb your message and gives you time to breathe, think, and move to the next audience member who gets the next idea or sentence.
2. Pause between ideas. Transitioning between concepts? Let the silence do the work. It creates rhythm, emphasizes key points, and projects confidence. (This is different than what is taught in college speech classes and especially in acting classes)
3. Embrace the discomfort. At first, pausing felt unnatural, but within minutes, their speeches began to flow with newfound precision and gravitas. Comfort zones change when we practice new behaviors, and those become the new comfort zone. In essence, we get comfortable with the silence.
The Result: A Night-and-Day Transformation
By the end of the session, their speeches were cleaner, clearer, and far more compelling. They weren’t just speaking—they were connecting with the audience.
How You Can Achieve This Transformation?
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1. Awareness is key. Record yourself speaking. Identify where filler words creep in (you’ll be surprised!).
2. Practice the pause. Start small: pause for 1-2 seconds after key sentences. Gradually extend as you grow comfortable. Most pauses are 1-2 seconds but longer when a key point needs added emphaisis.
3. Slow down. Rushing = filler words. Breathe. Let your thoughts roll up one at a time, don't think several thoughts ahead; this is a recipe for disaster.
Final Thought: Silence Speaks Volumes. It lets the audience know you are okay and in command of yourself and the speech.
Filler words aren’t a life sentence—they’re a habit. And habits can be rewired. Whether you’re pitching to stakeholders, presenting to a team, or speaking on stage, mastering the pause will elevate your presence, polish your delivery, and ensure your audience remembers your message, not your “ums.”
Ready to transform your communication? Let’s connect. I offer workshops and 1:1 coaching to help you ditch filler words and own your voice. Because when you speak with intention, the world listens. https://mcintyrespeaks.com
#PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence #CareerGrowth
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?? Have you struggled with filler words? Share your journey or tips in the comments!