The Power of Pause

Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020 Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was asked to comment on Donald Trump’s reaction to the unrest in the US.

Trudeau’s reaction was a pause.

A very long pause.

21 seconds of silence.

Pause is a very powerful public speaking tool.

In this blog post, I will share 7 reasons why you should use pause when presenting.

7 Reasons to Use Pause when Presenting

1. It grabs people’s attention

When you are introduced as a speaker at an in-person event, instead of starting to speak straight away, try a pause for 3-5 seconds. The audience will be attentive, waiting to hear what you have to say. Use the time to make eye contact with the audience, and smile!

Alternatively, try pausing during your presentation before you make an important point. The surprise silence will help the audience focus their attention on what you say.

2. It builds anticipation

Have you ever noticed how there is a long, drawn-out pause before the winner of the Oscars, or Strictly Come Dancing, or some other show is announced?

The pause adds to the audience anticipation. We are in suspense, waiting for the big reveal. Use pauses to your advantage in a similar way in your presentation. Just like a comedian has the punchline at the end of the joke, you can have the important point at the end of your sentence, and pause before you reveal it. 

3. It adds drama

The pause contrasts with the rest of your speech or presentation.

Imagine that you have been telling a story when you use the line “We waited three long days to get the test results”

Now imagine saying the line “We waited three….. long….. days…. to get the test results.” See the difference? 

4. It allows you time to gather your thoughts

Perhaps you momentarily lose your train of thought. Or perhaps you have been asked a complex question in the Q&A session.

Pausing allows you time to think before continuing to speak. If you watch the video of Justin Trudeau, you can see how he almost speaks, but stops himself, during the 21 seconds. He worked hard to create an answer that he believed was appropriate.

5. It allows your audience time to absorb your message

We are sometimes so familiar with our presentation that we forget that it is new to the audience. Pausing allows them time to reflect on what you have said and absorb your message. You could even prepare them for the thinking time by saying “Think about that for a moment” – and pause.

Related reading:  7 Ways to Make Your Audience Central to Your Presentation

6. It reduces filler words

Overuse of filler words like “um”, “ah” “so” and “like” can negatively impact your presentation. You don’t sound confident and it can affect your credibility.  

 When you pause, it slows you down. When you slow down, you are more conscious of what you are saying, and less likely to use filler words.  

7. It demonstrates confidence

Have you ever noticed how some people are uncomfortable with silence? They feel they need to say something- anything!- to fill the gap. Instead, try “owning” the silence by being calm, composed and in control. A smile helps too!

It can be difficult at first to get comfortable with pause. When you are at the top of the room, or on a stage, the audience expects you to speak. But when you master the pause, you will discover that it will be a powerful tool in your public speaking toolkit.

If you would like to see how I could work with you or your team to help create and deliver presentations with impact, contact me for a no-obligation discovery call.