Why is mastery of silence such a powerful communication tool?
Because most people can’t tolerate the vacuum of silence.
When negotiating, the one who speaks less usually wins. The one who talks too much tends to give away valuable information and more concessions. The lesson: once you’ve stated your position, stop talking!
When delivering your presentation, your audience will listen more intently when you include more pauses in your presentation.
Pause immediately before you state something important to enhance anticipation. Pause right after you stated an important point to allow the audience to digest your message. The opening and closing pauses punch up the words between them.
Did you know that your audience can either listen or think – but not both at the same time. When you want them to think – shut up.
To demonstrate more confidence, pause more often and more dramatically.
Why? Because speakers who talk nonstop sound nervous and deceitful. It is as if they don’t want anyone else to challenge them or even think about their message.
To demonstrate real control and self-confidence pause before you start your presentation. After you have been introduced, move to center stage, plant your feet then smile while looking at the audience for at least three seconds while saying nothing.
It’s only three seconds and it might feel like eons for you. But it will have a magical effect on the audience. They will stop fidgeting, focus on you and be waiting for the first word out of your mouth. While you might feel uncomfortable during those three seconds, the audience will be marveling at your self-confidence and composure.
