Press your inner pause button!

Last week I had the very good fortune to see three Broadway shows, Fela, The Million Dollar Quartet and Lend Me a Tenor. While each show was terrific in its own right—lively, entertaining and professional in every way—seeing all three in a row made me think about the importance of pacing—the tempo of a performance—how it draws us in, captures our imagination, and compels us to take an emotional and thought-provoking journey with the performers.

This led me to think about my own efforts—and those of my clients—to pace presentations so we similarly draw the audience in, hold their attention from beginning to end, and enable each person in the audience to take a personal  journey that leaves them feeling enriched in one or more ways. I believe this is the goal of all presentations, no matter what the context,  how large (or small) the audience or how long the presentation.

As presenters we need to make sure we connect with the audience and allow them the mental and emotional space to absorb our words, intent and  feelings. While some might argue that this requires a complex set of skills, I’d like to suggest that one of the most helpful strategies in pacing a presentation is simply to pause—breathe—letting the momentary silence fill up the room. Not only does this give you, the presenter, a moment to collect your thoughts, it equally gives the audience time to process your words and message. The power of the pause is essential to all effective presentations. The next time you see Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno or Jon Stewart, notice how easily they build that pause—that momentary silence–into their work.  While their stories and jokes may be clever, it is their deliberate use of the pause that helps them make the material come alive and engage us. In your own presentations, build in your pauses. Practice them. Not once but over and over. Use them to accentuate your key points, just like all great performers do. Holding your inner pause button will give the audience a fleeting but valuable moment in which to experience you at your best: in control of your words, your breath, and your key messages. Enjoy the journey!

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