No Ifs, Ums, Ahs or You Knows About It, by Tom Cohn (DPHA Executive Vice President)

Every time my daughter wants something from me, she begins her request with the word "So". When I hear "So," my first instinct is to say no. Filler words are frequently used when we make presentations for new projects or accounts. They do serve a purpose to help notify the person that you are speaking to about what is likely to come next, but for the most part, filler words such as "um", "ah", "so", etc., are crutches that erode your ability to effectively communicate, be perceived as authentic and obtain buy-in to your message. 

 

Pause instead of using filler words, advises Noah Zandan, CEO of Quantified Communications in a recent HBR blog. Zandan's research suggests that most conversational speech consists of short (.20 seconds), medium (.6 seconds) or long (more than one second) pauses. However, great speakers often pause for two to three seconds, which requires thoughtful practice since long pauses are difficult because they seem so much longer than they actually are. 

 

Zander claims that well-placed pauses in a presentation can make you sound calm and collected, while helping you collect your thoughts, calm your nerves and build suspense. Strategically placed pauses can be used to emphasize a point, build anticipation or give your audience time to absorb the point you are making. 

 

Reduce your use of filler words such as "like" or "so" by becoming aware of how often you use them. Video tape a rehearsal of your presentation or have a team member point out how often you use those words during a presentation.

 

Rehearsals and preparation are key to building confidence. Most filler words are used because of uncertainty and nervousness. Remember, filler words can help you relate better to your audience if they are used sparingly. That's why Google actually built in filler words to its Duplex digital assistance. As you prep for your next client pitch, identify the words you lean on most and try to avoid them.