Frances Pirera says that when we feel we have so much to say and not enough time to say it, we need to take a breath.
At a recent networking event, I found myself talking to an enthusiastic individual, whose words were so rapid, I struggled to keep up.
It honestly felt like they didn’t stop to take a breath.
By the end of the discussion, we politely parted ways, and as I walked away, I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
Despite my best efforts, I felt I missed the point of what they were saying.
We’ve all met people like this: Individuals who are brimming with energy, who seem to have so much to say, and not enough time to say it in.
In a world full of urgency, I understand why some fall into this trap.
The temptation to speak and fill the air with words is overwhelming, especially for those who feel a little awkward with silence.
For those ‘fast talkers’ out there, ask yourself the following question: Do you want people to understand you when you speak?
If you answer no, then don’t change a thing.
If your answer is a resounding yes, then next time you’re gearing up to launch rapid fire at someone, I’d like you to consider something called cognitive load theory.
Based on science, when our brain is overloaded with too much information all at once it becomes overwhelmed, and information can be lost.
I’m not suggesting that people never understand you when you speak quickly, but what resonates may be less than anticipated.
The remedy for someone who naturally speaks quickly is to simply pause.
For example, instead of throwing a mountain of words at people when you speak, finish your first sentence, shut up for a few seconds, and then move on to your next sentence.
Try doing this every time you finish a sentence.
This is hard, it takes practice, and the natural fast talker will feel overwhelmingly awkward doing it.
If you need proof of its power, I encourage you to watch some of the world’s most influential speakers, and you’ll find the effective use of pausing.
Doing something as simple as pausing achieves some critical things.
It gives your listener the space they need to let what you’ve just said sink in.
It provides opportunity for you to think before you speak, making you sound in control, strategic and well-informed.
You may not care about the implications in a social setting, but in business, it’s your responsibility to communicate effectively, to convey messages, insights and accurate information.
If some of what you say is being lost because your audience misunderstands you, it can result in project delays, confusion and cost overruns.
It’s your job to change the way you deliver information to get the desired result.
*Frances Pirera is a Victorian-based coach and facilitator, specialising in the art of effective communication and influencing. She can be contacted at blackislegroup.com.
This article first appeared at LinkedIn.
