Silence Speaks: The Impact of a Pause in Public Speaking

A week ago, I wrote about the transformative power of a pause.

This concept sparked interest, particularly regarding the use of pauses in presentations to replace distracting, annoying, and meaningless filler words.

Let′s understand first what filler words are and why are these so disturbing.?

Filler words are for example: "um," "ah," "like," "eh, eh", "so".... These are common in everyday speech.

While these might seem harmless, in the context of public speaking, they can reduce the speaker's credibility, speech content quality, and compromise the audience's comprehension.

You might be using them in your talks and presentations, without being aware of it.

I recall attending a business presentation where the executive excessively used filler words. One participant even remarked to another, "That's 23 'ehs' so far." I was surprised to find that I wasn't the only one distracted by the frequent 'ehs'—others were even counting them!

When you’re delivering a presentation, every word counts. Filler words act like speed bumps, disrupting your delivery and preventing your audience from fully engaging with your message.

They can interrupt the flow, dilute your message, and make you sound unsure of yourself, undermining your authority.

Here are three of the most common reasons why we use filler words.

First, lack of confidence or nervousness often leads to the use of filler words as we try to gather our thoughts.

Second, distractions, such as a ringing phone or technical disturbances, can cause lapses in focus, resulting in filler words.

Third, we use filler words to hold the floor, signaling that we are not finished speaking, especially when our time is nearly up.

Can we get rid of filler words? Yes! But first, let's pause for an insightful recommendation:

Become aware of why you use filler words.

For instance, catch yourself using them in the moment and identify triggers to understand their root cause.

Recognizing and understanding these reasons presents a significant opportunity for personal development.

Don't let this chance slip by; instead, seize the opportunity to enhance your personal growth.

Now, returning to how to eliminate filler words. Here is my favorite and most effective strategy:

Slow down to ground yourself, staying present and focused during your presentation. This approach allows you to reduce your speaking pace and use Intentional Pauses to replace filler words.

Mastering the art of the pause can significantly enhance your public speaking skills.

By replacing filler words with pauses, you allow your audience the necessary time to absorb, understand, and digest your message, thereby enriching their overall experience.

Furthermore, you will experience how your credibility and effectiveness as a speaker soar.

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