You've probably noticed that some speakers can't help but pepper their speech with Um, ok, like, you know and other fillers. You may find this endearing and feel that the speaker sounds more human; on the other hand, you may find this so irritating that you are not paying attention to what is being said. Is this a serious offence? If you are a speaker who relies a little too often on these oratory crutches, the consequences on your effectiveness are more important than you think.
Enough is Enough
They can be heard on radio, on television from professional hosts, politicians and well-known public figures. In our organizations, during face-to-face or virtual meetings, these fillers are common. You will hear more of these in an impromptu speech. Language experts call these fillers disfluencies. Studies show that one of these word whiskers overheard every sixty seconds is quite forgivable. When these words are used more than 10 to 12 times per minute, this bad habit can hurt your credibility and the reach of your message. These two reasons alone are enough to cause concern.
Language experts call these fillers disfluencies. Studies show that one of these word whiskers overheard every sixty seconds is quite forgivable. When these words are used more than 10 to 12 times per minute, this bad habit can hurt your credibility and the reach of your message. These two reasons alone are enough to cause concern.
Causes and Explanations
Lack of preparation, stage fright and anxiety of public speaking are well-known causes of the use of these oratory crutches: these problems are common and quite treatable.
People who speak in public often believe that these fillers help keep the audience's attention. A short silence is more effective. Another perception, just as erroneous, is to believe that silence makes us seem unprepared or less proficient in the subject matter, hence this reflex to fill in the gaps. Quite the opposite; silence makes the speaker appear more thoughtful, confident, and convincing.
Because we speak at 150 words minutes and the brain thinks at more than 400 words per minute, we use fillers to bridge the speed gap, but this time difference only shows that you have outpaced your listeners on your own timeline and are no longer in the present moment. Too bad for your audience.
Curing the hesitations
- First, come clean. Record yourself or have someone tally the number of fillers in your talk. There are more than you think. Acknowledging the behavior is half the battle.
- Adjust your perception of time. That pause or silence that seems like an eternity to you is hardly noticeable to your audience. Make peace with this time distortion because your listeners need these downtimes.
- Accept the discomfort of silence. Unless you're an AM radio morning host or an auctioneer, you do not have to avoid silences. Embrace them as they will make you appear calmer and in control.
- Imagine a punctuation mark. What if that little moment of uncertainty was just a comma, a period, or a new paragraph in your speech. Imagine a period at the end of the sentence, which signals you to pause, breathe and continue your talk. You can even use the pause to create suspense, a more dramatic moment and convince your listeners with more intensity.
- Replace the oratory crutch with a break. Replace the crutch with a 3-second pause. A pause is far more effective or interesting for your listeners than a hem... It is essential because it allows your listeners to better understand and reflect on what you are telling them. It also allows you to think and find the next thing to say.
In Closing
Pauses are an opportunity to replenish your oxygen intake and oxygen makes you human and alive. After all, this is the person your listeners came to hear!