by Stephanie Bickel
What do you think separates a great communicator from a merely good one? Is it their vocabulary? Their body language? Their tone of voice? All of those things are important, of course. One of the most crucial elements of effective communication is something much simpler: the ability to avoid saying "um". As someone who spent decades crafting messages that resonated with millions of people, I can tell you that "um" is a crutch that weakens your words, dilutes your meaning, and erodes your authority. So, today, I want to share with you why it's bad to say "um", and what you can do instead to become a more persuasive, impactful speaker.
by Stephanie Bickel
Here are five tips for reducing the use of "um" in your speech:
1. Practice speaking slowly and pausing
One of the main reasons people use "um" is to fill awkward silences or gaps in their speech. By speaking slowly and pausing between thoughts, you can give yourself time to think and avoid the need to use filler words like "um."
2. Plan ahead
Before you start speaking, get the answer in your head first. Take a few minutes to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. This can help you avoid the need to use "um" as you search for the right words.
3. Substitute the verbal filler with a physical filler no one will notice
If you find that you are prone to using "um," see if you can substitute something physical instead of the verbal filler. Insert a purposeful gesture where you would have said "um". Or, you could press your toes into the ground every time you want to say "um". One client liked touching her index finger into her thumb when she wanted to say "um".
4. Practice mindfulness
Pay attention to your language habits and try to be aware of when you are using "um." With practice, you can learn to catch yourself before you say it and find a better way to express yourself.
5. Seek feedback
Ask a friend or colleague to listen to you speak and provide feedback on your use of "um." This can help you identify any specific situations or habits that contribute to your use of the word and give you an opportunity to work on improving your speech.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Speak by Design University creates great leaders. It’s the only leadership communication program in the world that gives you access to self-paced learning, group coaching and training and, most importantly, private one-on-one coaching. Learn more and register.