Did you know: Pausing more helps you appear more trustworthy and genuine
Harness Trust and Credibility with Well-Timed Pauses
The pause is one of the most simple and powerful voice tools you can use. You can use the pause before you speak to demonstrate calm authority and to indicate that you are about to share something worth listening to. You can pause after a key message to give your words more weight and importance. Finally, you can pause during a talk or conversation to give your listener time to digest the information.
Pausing tells people that you are confident in yourself and your message. Taking a breath and a moment gives you time to think and focus what you are saying. Holding back a beat gives your listeners time to absorb, understand or consider what you have said. It can help calm your – and your audience’s – nerves, meaning everyone has an increased sense of steadiness and wellbeing. It will also help you reduce verbal ticks and filler words. And, taking regular pauses is a super quick way to increase your gravitas, status and credibility. Pausing really is the vocal gift that keeps on giving.
“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.”
Mark Twain
Tip:
In your next meeting – wait 2 seconds before replying to a question
Check out our training programmes on Confidence and Impact, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching and also our 4D OnDemand Impact Series, to make sure you make an impact today.
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear about our tips on Pitch and Precision – to make sure you deliver the gravitas and impact of your voice with intention.