The power of pause

During one of the workshops I regularly facilitate, participants take part in a storytelling exercise where I ask each individual to speak for one minute. We’re very strict on timing - one minute exactly – and they can choose from three different topics. And the point is…? Well, we use the exercise to feed back to each other and discuss/explore the different things people find compelling.

One of the most useful learnings from this activity is realising that we are more compelling when we use pause. Slowing ourselves down and using pause points for emphasis has real power, particularly under stress. You may notice, if you’ve ever tried public speaking, that your heart can start to race, the adrenaline starts pumping and your speech tries to keep up – so you end up talking faster and faster. What we need to do is stop and take back control.

It’s something that may not feel comfortable at first, however all it takes is practice. At first, when you stop, that pause seems to last a lifetime, however, trust me, it’s not so for the listener. A useful tip is to watch other presenters and notice how they use this technique. E.g. former US President, Bill Clinton – for someone not previously recognised as a great orator, Clinton has mastered the use of the pause and has used it to great effect over the years to punctuate and add power to his speeches.

Jeremy Donovan, a TEDx organizer and author of 'How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World’s Most Inspiring Presentations' says mastering strategic silence can add drama and polish to any talk. “When the late tech innovator Steve Jobs gave his famous 2005 Stanford University commencement address, 'How To Live Before You Die,' he paused nine times in the first minute alone. His speech exemplifies how to use pauses to add dramatic effect, accentuate important points, give the audience time to process the message, and replace filler words like “um,” “ah,” “like,” and “you know.”

Of course the important thing is to be yourself, and there are several helpful presentation techniques at your disposal, including gestures, expressions, and body positioning, however using the power of pause can be one of the most effective.

Do you have any other tips when it comes to telling a compelling story? I’d love to hear from you – please share your thoughts in the box below.

Posted on Fri, August 14, 2015 in Coaching General Personal Development
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