Have you ever experienced a presentation where you felt like you were in a roller coaster or being driven at breakneck speed like on the Autobahn in Germany? Well, I have. I don't blame the speeding speaker, you shouldn't either!
Why Speakers Speed!
People Pleasing: You see, in today's world, every second counts. Many people want to get everything right now, and speeding speakers are trying to give it to them as quickly as possible. This will be a case of the "tail wagging the dog"!
Nervousness: Some speakers are nervous and speaking fast is a "way out" for them. However, although their audience may still be on their seats, their minds are on the "way out". Because they simply can't keep up with the speaker's speed.
Too Much Information: Some research minded speakers tend to pack as much of their work as possible into their presentation, and decide that they must offload everything on the audience within whatever timeframe they have.
Speaking of offloading, there's a truckload of reasons why speakers speed, but I'm not here to offload problems. We're here to unpack solutions. One major solution is...
Pauses
Pauses are not mere breaks; they are opportunities; moments that can transform an ordinary speech into a captivating experience. Whether you’re delivering a keynote or a team update, knowing when and how to pause can amplify your message and drive your point home.
As a presenter, I’ve discovered that a well-timed pause can be a powerful tool to captivate an audience. When I pause, I create a moment of intellectual tension. It’s a shift in the energy of the room, where you create a space for thoughts to form and connections to be made.
The beauty of this tension lies in its potential. For me, I transform it into a wave of positive energy, using it to drive my point home with greater impact. This emotional connection is what makes a presentation truly memorable.
How to Use Pauses Effectively -With Examples
Emphasize Points: A pause can highlight important information, giving your audience time to process it. Example: "When I say, '70% of communication is non-verbal,' and then pause, it gives you a moment to absorb that impactful statistic."
Pacing: Pauses can help you maintain a natural rhythm and prevent your presentation from feeling rushed or sluggishly dragged.
Example: During transitions between topics, use a pause to signal the end of one section and the beginning of another.
3. Engage: A pause can invite your audience to reflect on your words and prepare for the next point.
Example: After posing a question like, "How can we improve our communication skills?" a pause lets your audience think and internalize the question.
Research shows that strategic pauses can increase audience retention by 20%.
This means your audience is more likely to remember and understand your message when you use pauses effectively.
How to Use Pauses
Meet Anne, the sales team lead of her company presenting the quarterly sales results to the team. She said, "Our sales have increased by 30% this quarter," and paused. Her silence added emphasis and allowed the team to internalize the information.
The pause gave the audience the space to process the success and decide to celebrate with a round of applause. Hi-fives went round and she continued with her presentation. Everyone is now in high spirits and ready to take on the next challenge. Anne used her pause to generate instant positive energy for the remainder of her presentation.
So, the next time you’re presenting, don’t shy away from the silence. Pause on Purpose. Embrace the intellectual tension it creates, and watch as your audience becomes more engaged and receptive to your message.
Before I drop my pen (keyboard in this case 😊), be reminded of the words of Mark Twain: "The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause."
To further explore the art and science of effective communication, visit Presentation-School.com or the Presentation School London.
Teaching effective presentation and communication skills is our thing.
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