Tip 28: Use Pauses Deliberately

I have always wanted to be an actress, but I never told anyone about it because it didn't seem plausible. Instead, I told people I wanted to be a news anchor, which, in my 14-year-old mind, would be a much easier job to obtain (Spoiler alert: Huh?).

I started training early for the job. In the 1980s, there was a cable news channel that may or may not have been the predecessor of CSPAN, which consisted of just text on the screen. While other teens were going to this place called "the outside," I was inside practicing how to "read like an anchor." I got quite good at it. Even now, tapping into "the voice" is the only way I can read a passage aloud without stumbling over my words.

I almost got to live out my broadcast dreams. In my sophomore year, my high school decided to trust some students to read school announcements over the PA system. It was unusual because they never let us do "As-seen on-TV high school stuff" like that. We didn't even get recess. The maintenance man had been reading announcements until then and I don't know how the students got these positions. But I knew if I practiced all summer, I would get my shot during my junior year.

While I wanted the opportunity, it was really just another one of my doomed-to-fail elaborate schemes to become popular. I was so fixated on popularity that I was willing to do anything - except leave the house, make friends, be kind and generous, dress fashionably, get involved in school activities, engage in hobbies or just talk to people in general. But plotting overly complicated schemes? I'm on it!

So, on the first day of my junior year, I got the courage to ask the maintenance man whether students would be reading announcements this year. His answer?

"Hell no."

I'm sure those other students who were not professional journalists like me got on his last nerve, so there was no need for follow-up questions. Thus, my broadcast journalism career prospects ended that day.

I'm a little rusty, but if you're dying to hear me demonstrate my special talent with a fake news story ...

The Key to "The Voice"

My self-training taught me that pausing is one of the keys to making anything you say sound compelling. News anchors use pausing strategically to enhance their reports and make them resonate with listening. Pauses emphasize key points, allowing important information to stand out and giving viewers time to absorb critical facts. They also create suspense, building anticipation before revealing significant details.

Pausing can clarify transitions between different topics, helping to structure the report clearly, while adding impact to emotional content by allowing the weight of the moment to settle. Additionally, well-placed pauses mimic natural speech patterns, making the delivery feel more authentic and conversational.

But what about storytelling?

Pausing in Storytelling

Pausing is an often overlooked but highly effective technique in storytelling. Whether you’re sharing a personal anecdote, delivering a speech, or engaging an audience in a professional setting, pauses can elevate your story. The list below explains why pausing is so impactful and how it can enhance your stories.

A strategically placed pause:

• Builds suspense, allowing the audience to anticipate what happens next and keeping them engaged. For example, when telling a story about a sudden surprise, you might pause before revealing the unexpected twist, leaving the audience on edge. "And then I opened the door, and standing right there was… [pause] my childhood best friend!"
• Emphasizes key points, giving important moments space to stand out and become more memorable. In a motivational speech, you could pause before delivering a crucial message, like, “The most important lesson I’ve learned is this… [pause] never give up.”
• Allows for reflection, giving the audience time to absorb and process the information. During a personal story, after sharing a meaningful moment, you could pause to let the audience reflect on its significance. “I realized then that it wasn’t just about winning… [pause] it was about growing.”
• Improves pacing by creating natural breaks, preventing the story from feeling rushed. When recounting a complex sequence of events, you might pause between different parts to give the audience time to follow. "First, we gathered the team… [pause] then, we developed a plan… [pause] and finally, we executed flawlessly."
• It increases speaker confidence, helping the storyteller maintain control and deliver the narrative calmly and with composure. If you feel nervous, you might pause to gather your thoughts, allowing you to stay in control. “When I started my career… [pause to collect thoughts] I didn’t know where it would lead, but I kept pushing forward.”

Pausing is a powerful tool in storytelling that enhances the audience’s experience and strengthens the storyteller's delivery. By building suspense, emphasizing key points, allowing for reflection, improving pacing, and increasing speaker confidence, well-timed pauses can transform a simple narrative into a memorable and engaging story. As you refine your storytelling skills, incorporating thoughtful pauses can help you create deeper connections with your audience and deliver your message with greater impact.

Upcoming Events

Niche Academy: Building a Quality Framework for Learning and Development, Online, October 23, 2 pm ET

Devlearn, Las Vegas, NV, November 6-8

• Pre-conference Workshop: P09: Persuasive Engagement: Crafting Compelling eLearning, November 5
• Concurrent Session: The Art of the Serial: Deploy Serialized Storytelling in eLearning (Wednesday, November 6, 10:45 am)

Training 2025, Orlando, February 17-19

• Pre-conference Workshop: Elearning Design Certificate Program, February 15-16
• Concurrent Session: The Power of Story in Quality Management Advocacy, Monday, Feb 17, 2:30 ET)

Books

Quality Management in Learning and Development (2024)

StoryTraining: Selecting and Shaping Stories That Connect (2018)

ATD's Handbook for Training and Talent Development - Chapter 16 (2022)

TD at Work Guide: Power E-Learning With Stories (2021)

TD at Work Guide: Get the Whole Picture With a Performance Assessment (2018)