Speaking Quickly
The value of pausing, pacing and breathing.
In an online session last week I noticed the presenter speaking very quickly - fast enough that within the first 5 minutes, someone was asking for clarification as they had already become lost in the content.
You can probably relate.
Listening to someone speak quickly requires a great deal more focus and concentration than listening to someone speak at a more moderate pace.
The problem is not that we lack the capacity to hear what a fast talker is saying. The average speaking rate is 150-160 words per minute and we can listen to 500 words per minute, so theoretically, we should be able to take it all in.
But we tend not to and there are numerous reasons why. These include:
Our ability to comprehend the information. We may need time to join the dots between concepts, or the presenter may be using too many long or complex words.
Our ability to stay focused. The gap between the pace of speaking and the rate of listening creates an opportunity for our mind to wander. We start thinking about what's for dinner instead of what the speaker is saying.
Our interest in the topic at hand. If we're not engaged with the content, we're less likely to maintain focus.
These environmental and physiological barriers to effective listening mean that when you're communicating, speaking quickly amplifies the possibility of not being heard.
And if you're not heard, you won't have influence. Others will step in with their ideas, thoughts and opinions and you risk being overlooked, undervalued and dismissed.
If you're looking to increase your effectiveness as a presenter or contributor, or wanting to be heard more effectively in relationships, it helps to understand when and why you may be speaking quickly, and to find ways to slow down.
Here are five suggestions that may be useful.
1. Raise your awareness.
A good first step is to notice when you are speaking quickly and reflect afterwards on why. What was the trigger?
2. Get comfortable with openness.
If nerves make you speak quickly, practise purposefully putting yourself into situations where you feel slighlty uncomfortable and aim to increase your tolerance by resisting the temptation to close. Remain open in mind and body instead.
3. Be clear on your point
To prevent turbulent babbling and give yourself more time and space, practise getting to your point faster. Ask yourself 'what's the point I'm trying to make?' This will help create clarity, which in turn will provide greater confidence.
4. Stop worrying about others
If you suffer from excessive nice-ness, you may speak quickly in an effort to hand the floor over to others, so they get a fair share of air time. To help with this, practise staying in the spotlight for longer and worrying less about whether others get to speak or not. Pause, breath and plant your feet so you stay solid and grounded.
5. Create calm before you speak
Put your hands on your heart, take a few deep breaths in and out and put your body into a greater state of relaxation before you start speaking. When your breath is coming from your belly, you will sound more resonant and this will give you more control over your pacing.
Taking notice of how quickly you're speaking and finding ways to slow down will increase the likelihood your voice will be heard and your influence will grow.