By speaking more deliberately, you project confidence, ensure clarity, and ultimately command the attention you deserve
In a saturated world with advice on communicating, especially for women, one simple trick stands out as universally effective: speak more slowly. According to psychologist Eva Glasrud, backed by research from Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Richard Lee Cox Braden, slowing your speech is a powerful tool to command attention and project authority in any room.
Why does this work? Here's a breakdown:
Status and Confidence
People with status often speak more slowly because they are confident they won't be interrupted. They know their words carry weight. Conversely, speaking quickly can signal nervousness or a feeling that you need to rush to get your point across before someone else takes the floor.
Clarity and Comprehension
When you speak too quickly, you risk overwhelming your audience. Listeners have to work harder to keep up, which can lead them to believe that you don't value their understanding or that you don't think your message is important. Slowing down ensures your audience can fully grasp your ideas and absorb your message.
Real-World Examples
Consider the transformation of PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, who, early in her career, likely faced the pressure to speak quickly. Today, she speaks at a measured pace of around 150 words per minute, similar to an audiobook narrator. Carmine Gallo, author of "Talk Like TED," suggests an ideal presentation pace of around 190 words per minute.
How to Implement This Trick
Here are actionable steps to incorporate this technique into your public speaking:
- Conscious Practice: Deliberately slow down your speech in everyday conversations. Focus on enunciating each word and allow yourself to pause between sentences.
- Match Your Audiobooks: Use audiobooks as a guide for pacing. Please pay attention to the narrator's speed and try to emulate it in your own speaking.
- Think Before You Speak: Before uttering a word, take a moment to gather your thoughts. This will naturally slow down your speech and make you sound more thoughtful and deliberate.
Bottom Line, while the world may try to dictate how we should speak, the power to command a room often lies in the simple act of slowing down. By speaking more deliberately, you project confidence, ensure clarity, and ultimately command the attention you deserve.
If you want to develop your Confidence in Public Speaking, this is for you:
Confident Public Speaking by Dino Santos
This webinar session is designed to develop among its participants the confidence to address an online crowd and the ability to effectively organize and deliver their speeches.
More Details here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8nna7u
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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