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Blog Entry 3 of 3 It's Time to Raise Your VOICE! Join Simply Speaking Toastmasters Club
This blog is about raising the confidence level of those that have a fear of public speaking. There is a lot of great avenues to pursue, but I have found that the best on-going and affordable training available in the world is through Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a communication and leadership development club designed to promote enhanced communications around the world. Do you have a fear of speaking? Let Toastmasters help you to build the confidence to be heard by raising your voice! For more information about Simply Speaking Toastmasters in Aurora, CO, e-mail Darryle Brown at darryle.brown@denvergov.org or call 720-913-5681.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~simplyspeaking

Why Do You Use "Fillers" When You Speak?
Contributed by: D B   on 11/23/2008

How many of you have ever heard someone speaking before an audience, a meeting, or ceremony and you've heard them say "uh", "um" , "you know", "so" and the like? When you listen to them speak, have you noticed how distracting that can be from the delivery and content of their message? I know I have and you have too, because we all have used or continue to use them. They are called "fillers".

Why do we use "fillers" when you speak?

I believe filler words serve no real purpose in a conversation and is a bad habit that most of us developed when we spoke in front of people for the very first time, when we were trying to gather our train of thought, when we engaged in small talk, responding to impromptu inquiries (such as job interviews) in which one is unprepared or a variety of other reasons.

Most of us are so used to using filler words that it appears to be a normal manner of communication. Why? It's because most of us engage in conversations that the use of filler words are common within our social circles. However, the most profound speakers and highly trained orators rarely use filler words, even in impromptu speaking engagements.

Why is the use of "fillers" a distraction from good conversation?

Filler words send the wrong or an unintended message to the listeners that a person cannot organize their thoughts, they are not articulate, they are nervous, unfamiliar with the subject matter that they are speaking about, or that they lack confidence. None of these factors may accurately represent a person that is speaking or their intent when delivering their message. However, in every speech training component that I know of, they teach one basic premise: Know your audience. We have to be mindful that the perceptions and impressions that we have on others, especially strangers that we meet for the first time, we know the old saying: "First impressions are lasting impressions."

What if you are about to speak to an audience that's highly training in speech communication, they are keen on the use of filler words and you have a bad habit of using them... a lot! Even if you may know your material very well and is considered an expert in your field, you certainly don't want to send mixed messages do you? The reality of it all is that all of us want to speak clearly, concisely and with confidence that our message will get across as we intended, but many of us do not know how to break away from our bad habit of using filler words.

What can you do to break the habit?

The best way that I recommend is to get some form of communications training. Ongoing training is always to the best approach compared to one time seminars, because you cannot gauge your progress and there is not a component of support in place.

Where can you get ongoing training and support to break the habit of filler word usage?

What worked for me was joining the communications and leadership development club Toastmasters. Even though I have had years of experience in public speaking, I realized that I needed an avenue in which to fine tune, polish, and enhance my ability to communicate. I had been working in a lot of high profile positions in my profession to include speaking to the media on and off camera on a regular basis. When I heard myself on tape, I was amazed at how many filler words I used and being my own worst critic, I did not like how I came across on the air. I used filler words extensively especially when I was asked the tough questions. I knew that I needed to be a better speaker because I didn't just represent myself, but my entire agency. I wanted to make us look highly professional, poised, and sharp. Filler words detracted from my overall objective.

Since joining the Simply Speaking Toastmasters Club in Aurora, Colorado five years ago, I had gained so much support and positive feedback in an environment that you can make as many mistakes as you needed to with the overall objective that you'll learn, grow, and overcome the bad habits that are barriers to good communication. As a result, I have been more confident in job interviews, promotions and other venues, in which I'm happy to say has been a key ingredient in enabling me to have an edge over my competitors onthe road to success and upward progression.

Good communication skills are vital to your ability to succeed in life and you need to be in a forum that will give you the tools of success in communication and leadership development. Toastmasters worked for me and it most certainly will work for you. Want to be clear of the use of filler words? Join Toastmasters and fill in the gaps with words of purpose and clear communication rather than words that do not...like fillers.



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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

D B

Denver , CO

D B has posted 3 blog entries and 1 comment since joining on 9/6/2008. D B 's average blog rating is 0.
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