Instead, focus on these three ways to create space:
Let Them See You Thinking
I encourage clients to allow the audience
to see you reflecting on an idea or question you have
posed. This can work best when you ask a rhetorical
question and allow it to hang in the air for a few
moments. What are you thoughts about how to apply this
information once you return to your work
environment? What obstacles do you anticipate?
After asking, wander the room a bit looking pensive
while considering your own question. When the audience
sees you thinking, they will start thinking. You are
modeling the behavior you want them to mirror.
Pause
Pausing can add power and drama to your talk. It will
actually draw people in
and bring them to the edges of their seats. A pause can
be planned or spontaneous. A full stop pause is about 3
seconds. In music composition it is known as a “rest”
which is an interval of silence in a piece of music.
Vary Your Pace
If you are somehow who feels you speak too fast or too
slow remember that the solution is not to split the
difference but instead vary the pace in direct response
to the content and your audience. When you speak quickly
it can be interpreted as signaling urgency, emotion,
excitement, or passion. In contrast, speaking more
slowly can telegraph importance, significance or
seriousness. A blend of both is ideal.
Creating space has direct benefits to the speaker as it:
• Gives you time to catch your breath
• Allows a moment to gather your next thought
• Creates an opportunity to see how your audience is
doing (are they with me?)
Creating space has direct benefits for the audience as
it:
• Allows them a chance to think and reflect on what has
just been said
• Prompts them to form a question or prepare for what’s
next
• Grabs their attention and wakes them up
Your responsibility as a speaker is to control and
manage the presentation space. 'Control and manage' are
sometimes considered negatives but in this case they are
positives. Your job is to ensure that your audience has
a great experience and if the group’s attention wans or
turns disruptive it will reflect poorly on you.
HOW TO PRACTICE
Practice pausing and vocal variety by reading poetry,
news stories or children’s storybooks out loud. Go for
drama and stick the pause (count 1,2,3 seconds).
By practicing ten minutes a day for one week you will
start to develop instincts for where and when a pause
will be effective. In addition, you will discover how to
vary the pitch, pace and rhythm of your voice. Notice in
everyday conversations how often someone momentarily
ponders an idea in silence. What is your reaction? Are
you drawn in and reflect as well?
In today’s world of information overload and fast paced
messaging, surprise and engage your audiences by
changing it up. Catch your breath, create space and
captivate your audience. Learn to leverage the lull by
providing the space for your audience to reflect in
silence.
You may be surprised at what comes through in the
stillness.