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The Power of the Pause

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The Power of the Pause

How often do you watch other experienced speakers?

If the answer is 'Not often enough…' then be prepared to make an appointment for yourself with lots of other good speakers. You see, observing others is a great way of learning. There are so many different styles and there is no limit on the number of excellent speakers we can have out there. There is always something that we can learn from anybody. Just keep your eyes open for it. Everybody is unique and we can all bring our personal creativity and character to the speaking table.

One of the most under utilised techniques available to a speaker is that of the pause, and if you analyse the difference between most experienced successful speakers and their inexperienced counterparts, it is the willing use of the pause that creates the divide.

For speakers who remain self-conscious and by that I mean, concerned by all those eyes caste upon them, the pause is rather difficult. Imagine being there in front of an audience and you are not actually saying anything! Panic sets in and the speaker's pace begins to increase quite quickly. It then looks like they are racing through their speech, rather like Usain Bolt hurtling towards the finishing line. Naturally, the pace picks up; the pitch flattens out and that kills every opportunity for the highs and lows of tonal variety that audiences enjoy so much.

So how do we overcome this problem? Well, it's surprisingly easier than you imagine. If you are a member of a speakers' club, there is a very effective technique. If at the meeting there are a few new and slightly nervous speakers, try this exercise: ask each speaker to stand up in front of the audience and only make eye contact with them. The individual need not say anything, merely make eye contact and hopefully smile during the process. After fifteen seconds, the audience should give each individual a round of applause. This exercise is about acceptance. That is, being accepted as one of the group. Nobody threw eggs or tomatoes, nobody snarled angrily at the new recruit. The point is, at a speakers club you only have to turn up, smile at the audience and get a round of applause.

As Woody Allen once said, "80% of success is turning up."

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