Outline:
The Power of Silent Storytelling
As a communication coach with over two decades of experience, and the CEO of a communications training firm, I often hear certain words that make me cringe. Among them is “um.” This sound serves no purpose and can negatively impact how others perceive you. Studies show that when fast talkers use excessive filler words, their audience’s perception of their competence drops.
Here’s my advice on becoming a more eloquent and decisive speaker.
A Unique Exercise to Improve Public Speaking
I have developed an effective and enjoyable method to eliminate unnecessary filler words from your speech. I call it “Silent Storytelling.” In this exercise, you talk, but without making any sound. Imagine you’re about to speak on live television, but the viewer has turned down the volume. You are essentially on mute.
To capture attention, you must communicate using only your body and no sound. Enunciate each word as clearly as possible. Use gestures freely and express yourself through facial expressions. Think of it as lip syncing.
This practice forces your brain to be more intentional with your word choices. It becomes absurd to silently mouth the word “um.” The unnecessary clutter disappears.
Commit to this practice for a few minutes daily and continue for about three months. You will notice improvements in your precision and clarity of speech.
Recording Your Progress
Try to record your sessions if possible. Practice with something like an upcoming work presentation. While it might be tempting to try this with a personal topic, such as a hobby, I recommend tackling a more challenging scenario—like a professional context, where these skills will be most useful.
For the first two weeks, focus on mastering the silent version. Then transition to the “mute button” version. Alternate between speaking with sound every 20 to 30 seconds, while maintaining the same level of exaggerated expressiveness throughout your practice.
Watch the entire clip without sound. You shouldn’t be able to tell when you’re speaking versus not.
Applying Your New Skills
You can apply these new communication skills in almost any setting: video meetings, status updates, planning sessions, all-hands meetings. For most people, starting with video meetings is ideal, both because they are common and because they offer a feature that makes practicing Silent Storytelling easier—you can watch yourself.
Position your video box near the camera, shrink its size, and look at yourself while you speak. As you watch, test if you’re using the behaviors of Silent Storytelling.
Can you see your hands moving, entering and exiting the frame?
Can you see your lips moving, even noting the dark space between your top and bottom teeth as you open your mouth to enunciate words?
Can you see your face allowing for dynamic expression, giving your audience cues about your ideas and feelings?
You’ll soon see what unlocks when you dedicate yourself to a life of choosing words with intention.
About Michael Chad Hoeppner
Michael Chad Hoeppner is a communication coach and the author of the bestselling book “Don’t Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life.” He helps U.S. Presidential candidates, CEOs, Ivy League deans, and even high school students speak well when it matters. He is the founder and CEO of GK Training, a communications training company serving Fortune 100 companies, universities, and individuals around the world.
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