Umm… can we talk about filler words for a moment? You know the ones - the “ems”, “ahs”, “errs” and “likes” we sometimes use to bridge the gap between words and give us a moment to think when we're speaking.

Filler words are a normal part of conversation, but if they’re overused, they can create a barrier to communication that disrupts the message you’re trying to share with your audience. 

What’s the problem with filler words?

I was listening to a politician being interviewed on the radio recently, and he didn't sound very comfortable at all. His speech was packed with filler words. Each time he responded to a question, every second or third word was “um” or “ah”.

I got extremely frustrated listening to him because it was so difficult to follow his train of thought. He didn't sound confident or assured. And the result? I was far less likely to trust what he was saying…and him.

Why do we use filler words? 

We often use filler words due to a disconnect between what's going on in our brains and what's coming out of our mouths. Our brains have gone speeding ahead, but our mouths need a little bit of time to catch up. Effectively, we’re thinking out loud, and that’s what creates the disconnect that we plug with a filler word ( or “vocal disfluency”, if you’re feeling fancy).

As I mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with that in itself. And there are certain circumstances when filler words can actually be useful. That’s why I don’t suggest you try to eliminate them completely.

But if you’re making a speech or presentation, your audience should be your top priority. And if you’re peppering your talk with so many filler words that it gets distracting, hard to follow or just makes you seem like you don’t know what you’re talking about, then it’s time to take a look at how you can reduce those.

How to reduce filler words in your speech or presentation

1. Get some feedback

There’s a chance you may not even realise you’re using too many filler words when you speak. So the first step is to either record yourself the next time you present or speak or ask for some feedback on your speaking from a trusted friend or colleague. Explain to them beforehand that you’re trying to cut down on the filler words, so they know what they’re looking out for.

2. Slow down

When we consciously and deliberately slow down the pace of our speech, we’re far less likely to use filler words. We're keeping the pace a little bit more balanced. We're concentrating more on what we're saying. And as a result, it’s less likely we’ll get ahead of our thoughts and need to start filling the gaps.

3. Don’t be afraid to pause

Another common reason we fall back on filler words is that we really don’t like silence. It feels awkward and uncomfortable, and we do our best to avoid it.

But there’s great power in a pause. Silence can be a really effective tool when you're speaking publicly. Imagine I’m speaking to you in a slow and measured way, punctuating my words with pauses. I’ll sound so much more confident and poised than if I'm “um-ing” and “ah-ing” every second word as I try to figure out what I’m saying next. It’s also far less stressful for you as a speaker if you can slow down and take your time.

As you go about your filler word detective work, you might discover you’re not just using them in formal speaking situations but in everyday life too. If that’s the case, this article from Deborah Grayson Riegel with a 4-week plan to fix your filler word habit is definitely worth a read.

Awareness is the first step in reducing your filler words

Knowledge is power when it comes to fighting your filler words. Figure out:

- Whether you’re using too many of them

- Which are the ones you tend to fall back on.

Don’t forget, it might not just be a filler word; look out for phrases like “and so…”, “you know”, “like” and “right, then” as well.

Then practise staying aware when you speak, so you can catch yourself before you use those crutch words. Slow down, use plenty of pauses but above all, don’t stress too much about it.

If you try to eliminate every filler word from your speech, you run the risk of being drawn down the rocky road of perfection-seeking - which is the exact opposite of what you need to boost your speaking confidence.

Maureen McCowen is a presentation skills specialist and public speaking coach. She works with individuals and teams to help them unlock their speaking confidence and increase their impact.

Contact Maureen here to arrange a complimentary discovery call to discuss your speaking needs. maureen@softskillsuccess.ie