The Power of Pausing: Do You Create White Space With Your Voice?
Which PowerPoint slide do you prefer?
Crowded with text
Whitespace so the important points become the focus
Of course, we prefer an uncluttered information-driven slide. We need the empty space to segment each point or idea as we navigate the slide. Let’s think of our speaking similarly. Do you create any “white space” by pausing when you speak? White space is silence.
Silence might seem uncomfortable, but it is a powerful tool when used intentionally. How does pausing improve the delivery of your message?
1. Enhances Clarity: Pausing gives you a moment to collect your thoughts, allowing you to communicate more concisely and prevent rambling.
2. Improves Listeners’ Understanding: Pausing gives your audience time to absorb the information before you move on to the next point.
3. Decreases Word Fillers: The silence of the pause gives us time to stop, then begin again without word fillers, such as “um,” “uh,” and “like.”
4. Engages Your Audience: A brief pause creates anticipation, drawing listeners’ attention. It signals something important, causing people to lean in rather than tune out.
5. Provides Emphasis: Pauses create a natural rhythm that helps emphasize key points. By pausing before or after a critical message, you give listeners the mental space to absorb it, making it more impactful.
6. Conveys Confidence: Speaking quickly can sometimes suggest nervousness or a lack of conviction. The problem isn’t always the rate of speech. Speaking in phrases with pauses shows that you’re calm and confident, which reinforces your credibility.
Pausing is a gift that benefits both you and your audience. Try adding pauses in your next presentation and notice how it transforms how your message is received.
The Advantage AI-Assisted Public Speaking Platform powered by Yoodli is an excellent tool to help you pause more effectively. Ask me about it.
Reach out to LKWilner@successfully-speakign.com with any questions about your communication skills and how you can Speak, Sound, and Look like a Leader.