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When was the last time you heard someone starting time an important presentation or comment with something similar this? And so, um, I but recall this is important. Vocal disfluencies, commonly described as filler words, are a mutual point of contention in public speaking. Some people disparage them as weak and hesitant, and others defend them equally authentic and genuine.

We all know about um, ah, and similar. Others I hear include: so (to start sentences), right? (to end sentences), kind of and sort of (in the middle of sentences). Every language has its ain filler words, and people in the same arrangement tend to apply the same fillers. When you're the boss, your direct reports will subconsciously mimic your fillers.

Used sparingly, there's nothing wrong with filler words. When you lot utilise them excessively, notwithstanding, they can detract from your confidence and credibility. Imagine presenting a stiff recommendation to your board of directors and using um in between every word; the constant fillers would undermine your message.

In one report published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, Nicholas Christenfeld constitute that, "even though um'southward do non seem to be a product of anxiety or lack of preparation…the average listener assumes that they are."

In improver to filler words, sure hedge words and phrases tin can minimize the impact of your message: Perhaps this is irrelevant, but . . . I may be way off base here, simply…

My personal pet peeve is the hedge word "just," peculiarly when used in an otherwise powerful argument such as, "I just call up this is a crucial moment for our company."

In my classroom at the Harvard Kennedy School, I used to call out students when they used fillers while speaking up in class. They'd say something like, "Then um, I'd just like to say" and I'd reply with, "Pause and exhale, and and then start over." When they started their sentences again, they often forgot what they wanted to say.

One year, the feedback I received in my grade evaluations made me re-evaluate this practice. The feedback said, "You have such a strong message of authenticity in the class, that your focus on eliminating fillers feels overly perfectionist."

Ouch. While that feedback was painful to receive, it also encouraged me to dive deeper into the possible, practical benefits of fillers and hedge words. Here are three strategic reasons for when to utilize them.

  1. To be diplomatic. In a preparation I led for ane global bureaucracy, participants dedicated their use of hedge words. Given their organizational dynamics, leadership was highly sensitive to any type of feedback. Every bit a result, people had to apply hedging language to avert offending their managers.


    Lesson: When you demand to give delicate feedback or soften a message, consider using a hedge word similar "just" or "simply" or a phrase such as "nosotros may want to consider" in order to cushion how your message comes across.

  2. To agree the floor. When working in an international setting, one participant commented that if she paused in a meeting instead of using a filler, people would assume she was finished speaking and would jump in to interrupt her. The filler was her manner of proverb, "I'm not done yet."


    Lesson: If you operate in an environment where people routinely interrupt you, the filler can serve as a strategic placeholder equally yous hold the flooring. However, brand sure your message is clear and curtailed, otherwise people will all the same interrupt during the fillers.

  3. To leap in. Many of our clients routinely inquire how they can insert themselves into a chat during a meeting, conference call, or when speaking on a panel. If they wait for a break or for someone to call on them, they will never have an opportunity to speak upwardly.


    Lesson: A well-placed "and so," "well," or "actually" tin can exist an effective tool to break into a chat (perhaps in the middle of a rambling colleague'south filler words). Simply make sure you are non cutting someone off mid-sentence.

What kind of hedging language is better? Hither are three phrases to replace in your professional linguistic communication.

Avoid "I think." Many people will use "I call up" when speaking up in a meeting, as a way of showing that they are not the expert on an issue. Instead, utilize the phrase "In my experience, I've plant" which validates your knowledge or "our view is" which lends the weight of your unabridged organisation.

Avoid "I may be manner off base of operations." People will use this when they have something unconventional to say, yet that hedging linguistic communication devalues their comment before they even speak it. Instead, effort, "Let'south look at this from a unlike perspective. What if…?" which shows artistic thinking.

Avert "Sorry." When people interrupt one another or speak up in a coming together, they will tend to apologize for information technology which reduces their credibility and authority. Instead, say "thank you" and then go on with the thought.

Language matters, and the words you use have an impact on your effectiveness equally a speaker and as a leader. Opposite to popular wisdom, sometimes information technology's OK to use fillers or hedge words. Recognize the affect these words have and use them strategically.