Presentation Myth 2: ‘Be sure to Speak Slowly when Presenting’

Presentation Skills Myths and Realities #2

This is the first mistake made by so many people when giving a presentation; they slow down. Given that we all communicate best in relaxed conversation, over a coffee for example, its important to maintain – or even increase – our natural pace of words.

To be sure, there are great variations, depending on differing personality, culture, language, and age. But the average pace of a conversation is quick and lively, being somewhere between 120 and 150 words per minute. And, undoubtedly, the more passionate the speaker, the faster the words.

Research tells us that top sales people average 171 words per minute. Well known speakers also keep up a lively pace:

Brene Brown (The Power of Vulnerability): 154

Ken Robinson (Do Schools Kill Creativity) 165

Simon Sinek (How Great Leaders Inspire Action): 170

Susan Cain (The Power of Introverts): 176

But besides keeping up the pace of their words, all these speakers have two things in common. Firstly, they all tell personal stories, eliciting both cognitive and emotional responses.

Secondly, they all pause. Because its impossible for anyone to think and listen at the same time, they interact with the audience by holding silence. This not only gives their listeners time to think, to remember, it also allows the speaker to look for reactions, and to  emphasize the key points.

That said, there are naturally some exceptions. A eulogy, perhaps, or the breaking of sad news, would be at an appropriately slower pace. But outside of these (hopefully) rare occasions, be sure the keep up the pace of your words when presenting.

To do otherwise, to slow down, carries a range of risks:

• Sounding dull, lacking interest

• Losing intonation, blurring the message

• Appearing patronizing (like a Kindergarten teacher)

• Losing listeners who sense there’s something more interesting on their mobile phones

Tip: if you get feedback that you talk too fast when presenting, what you’re really being told is that you’re not pausing!