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That's the first thing you learn at Toastmasters. Saying "um" all the time just makes you sound insecure whereas silence used strategically exudes confidence.
by maxxxxx 8y ago
That's the first thing you learn at Toastmasters. Saying "um" all the time just makes you sound insecure whereas silence used strategically exudes confidence.
I remember some teachers would just stand silently in front of the room until people were silent. It may have taken a while but then they had control of the class.
- avmich 8y agoTo the opposite, I've found often you can't have a meaningful progress until you start allocating time in your speech with those placeholders. Otherwise people would assume you're finished with what you wanted to say or don't have something to add and start talking.
- maxxxxx 8y agoConversation is different but even there you can be much more strategic with filler sounds.
- scottie_m 8y agoIn conversation you also have the benefit of being able to effectively use body language to communicate the delay without resorting to “uhhhh” or other sounds that make people seem uncertain or dim.
- rimliu 8y agoSome Toastmasters clubs even have an ah-counter role. Ours gets a little rubber duck and makes it squeak whenever the presenter start erm-ing, ah-ing or uh-ing. Distracting as hell but on the other hands that distraction motivates to avoid it next time.
- maxxxxx 8y agoWe had a clicker like they use for dog training.