PRESENTATION TIP: PAUSE FOR EFFECT

by Kathy Reiffenstein

A well-timed pause in a presentation is the mark of an experienced presenter but, with a little practice, it is a simple technique for anyone to incorporate. It works equally well in a formal presentation, introductory remarks as the chair of a meeting or a senior management update in the boardroom.

The pause offers a number of benefits:

• It builds anticipation ~~ "The empires of the future are the empires of the mind." The pause is particularly effective in building anticipation when it is combined with a promise of significance ~~ "The next statistic is overwhelming."

• It exhibits confidence ~~ typically anxiety causes us to speak non-stop, avoiding silence at all costs. So when we are well-prepared enough to pause purposefully, we show the audience that we are confident in both our message and delivery.

• It allows a statement or phrase to stand out ~~ "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."

• It allows us to evaluate the impact of our words on the audience ~~ the pause should be accompanied by direct and steady eye contact with the audience, allowing for an assessment of their reaction.

• It provides a transition from one segment or thought to another.

• It allows the audience time to absorb what you've said ~~ since it's hard for anyone to listen and think at the same time, the audience requires numerous 'breaks' to process what they've just heard.

Now with all these accolades for the pause, you may think that it needs to be minutes in length to accomplish so much. Not so. A pause of 3-5 seconds is all you need in most cases. As you become adept at incorporating the pause into your presentations, you will intuitively judge the right length.

Three final suggestions for becoming comfortable with using the pause:

• Practice what it sounds like by reading out loud from the newspaper, choosing where to pause to highlight or emphasize certain aspects of the story.

• During rehearsal, use a timer to get a sense of how long your pauses are, which will help you internalize the right timing.

• Mark your speech notes where you want to pause rather than relying on your memory or sense of timing during the actual presentation.

So the next time you are speaking or presenting...pause...and watch the effect.