Public Speaking Secret for not saying “UM”!

As a professional speaker, and one who trains others in this fine art, I’ve been asked many times by aspiring newbie’s and professionals alike, “How can I stop saying “um” in my presentations?” My quick answer may surprise you, and that is: Don’t worry about it, just continue saying “hmmmmmmm” or “um” every time you feel like it. Now you are probably saying to yourself that I’m out of my mine and not being of any help here. But like many of my “public speaking secrets”, this too is contrary to what you might think. So please keep reading and promise I will disclose this secret, explaining what I’m really trying to say here later.

Using filler words such as: “um” can be very distracting for your listeners and since I think your intent is to improve your speaking delivery, I’m sure it is distracting to you as well. Unfortunately, the biggest abusers seem to be radio talk show hosts, and since I love talk radio, this infuriates me. Why can’t these people be better public speakers? Why can’t they get to their point without so many filler words? Why do they have to state something such as: “Well (which is also a “filler word”), today I’m going to talk about, um, Duluth”. Don’t they know where the heck they live? Most of the time they are reading off a script, for crying out loud! I know that they may think that they are coming across as “conversational”, but I think it comes across as being unprepared and unprofessional.

Let me congratulate you, the reader, because if you are aware that you are using this “filler word”, you are well on your way deleting it in your presentations. Many speakers (and radio announcers) may feel that they are good, or even great speakers, when they are probably simply unaware that they do this. However, unlike these people, you’ve risen above the level of unconscious incompetence (not being aware), to the conscious incompetence level of knowing you have this situation. I will help move you to the conscious competence level, where you consciously remove the “um” and later with action on your part, you can go beyond this level to the unconscious competence level of removing this “bad” speech habit and not having to “worry” about it!

When you are using the "um" filler word, it’s typically because you are thinking “on the spot”. A well-rehearsed speech (and knowing your materialwell), will avoid having you doing your thinking during delivery. So, rehearse what you are going to say before you approach the lectern.

Next, don’t be too concerned about thinking silently before answering a question, or stating your facts. In today’s world, most people don’t think before they speak. Observe this in your conversations this week. Note how people aren’t really listening but rehearsing in their mind what they want to say, and waiting for you to take a breath so they can speak! You can come across as an intellectual, by thinking first silently, then speaking.

Finally, here’s my secret I told you I would share. When you feel that you must, go ahead and say “um” or “hmmmmm” (or even “hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!”) to your heart’s content, but… say it silently! This will come across as a “pause”. Speakers don’t use as many pauses as they probably should in their speaking so this will come across just fine. Eventually, with action, and a sincere desire to improve, you’ll quit using filler words and wont' need to use this technique becuase you'll have arrived at the unconscious competence level. Then you will use the “pause” as a technique to “punctuate” certain places within your presentation. We’ll cover that another time.

Don't forget to associate with others who speak well. You’ll pick up good and bad habits from those you “hang” with. That’s why I endorse the Toastmasters Organization. I’ve talked with several World Champion Speakers from Toastmasters who tell me that fretting over one or two “ums” in a longer presentation is not anything to worry about. Because we all agree that perhaps no one will probably “conquer” eliminating filler words altogether, when you strive to do so, you’ll use them so infrequently, that they will become less distracting and you’ll be a better presenter!
Ter Scott is a professional public speaker/instructor/trainer in the topics of motivation, customer service, and marketing. Visit www.terscott.com/speaker