Every great speaker deploys the power

Much of the advice I offer as a communications coach isn’t rocket science. There’s a great deal of common sense in being a better communicator. The art in coaching is helping people actually DO the things that will make them more effective.

If there’s a Swiss Army Knife of tools for communicators, it’s the pause:
You just got a horrific question from an employee at the All Hands? Pause and think before you open your mouth. When you stop and choose your words you’ll be much more graceful and compelling in your answer.
Launching a new product? Pause for just a few seconds on stage before you make your big reveal. You’ll capture the room’s attention.
Running a contentious meeting where everyone is arguing and talking over each other? Raise your hand and pause until you get silence. Then speak. You’ll change the tenor of the whole meeting.
Dealing with a reporter who hurls questions at you like a machine gun? Smile, pause, and then start speaking. You’ll show that you’re not going to succumb to their agenda.
Got an angry customer on the phone? Listen, affirm what they said, and then pause so they can say more before you start solutioning. They will feel heard.
Your colleague just brought you the dumbest idea in the world? Instead of arguing, just pause and say, “Tell me more.” Then you can watch them tie themselves in knots trying to make sense.

Not only does a pause capture people’s attention, reset the tone of any conversation, and give you a chance to think, it is also the best way for you to catch your breath before you get out over your skis and find yourself babbling.

I love people who communicate on purpose. Who have chosen what they intend to say before they say it. The people I know who are masterful, deliberate communicators have mastered the power of the pause. You can too! Embrace the pause!!

Not sure how to crush your next presentation? Persuade that difficult customer or team member? Navigate tough questions from regulators, press, your boss? How about some pragmatic, actionable communications advice?

If you are a startup founder, an intrapreneur at a company, or a leader looking to grow, consider Office Hours with Lisa, a great way to get bite-sized, personalized communications coaching. Because your business must scale and you must scale with it. Because it’s the great communicators who create change!