The first time I tried to teach, I had this compelling need to fill every moment with sound.

The dreaded “UMMMMM.” 

Initially, I felt like I had to fill every moment to make the class more valuable. The Um is an easy nervous tick to lapse into, and quickly make a habit out of.  

Using an Um is also an unconscious tool to retain control over a conversation. The thinking is that if you pause, it’s an opening for someone else to jump in and take control of the conversation. If you talk constantly, it becomes hard to interrupt. 

While the use of an Um might feel safe, it really doesn’t protect you from an interruption. And it makes you sound like you don’t have your thoughts together. It actually gives the effect of making you look disorganized. 

The Power of the Pause

When you are sharing any kind of complex idea, usually you break it down into small parts. Each of these parts needs to be digested by the student in order to recall it later and understand how it fits in with the larger picture. Using an Um as a sound bite removes this opportunity to digest that chunk of information. 

Using a pause is a powerful tool, almost like a micro-meditation, to digest the last chunk of information you just shared. A pause is an unconscious tool reminding your audience to chew, swallow, and digest the thought that was just shared. A pause is a reinforcing tool demonstrating you are organized and have well-structured material to share.  

Next time you are speaking at a meeting, giving a presentation, or teaching a class, play attention to that Um sound bite. Recognize how it feels to say Um, how it feels in your mouth. When you can recognize this common sound bite, you can replace it with a pause, giving what you are presenting, power to influence.