Recently I listened to the podcast DenkTank with Mark Tigchelaar on ‘Working with Focus'. Mark is a psychologist, focus expert and author of the book Focus ON/OFF, in which he gives you concrete tips to work far more productively. I am currently devouring that book via Storytel (very handy in the car or on the bike). Highly recommended! It gave me nice insights that I am glad to share with you. In his book and podcast, Mark talks among other things about the influence of speaking pace, interesting therefore for people who present often.

As standard I always advise people to slow down their speaking pace while presenting. To begin with because most speakers, due to nerves, tend to speak faster when they stand in front of an audience. Speaking a little more slowly than your normal pace ensures your audience understands your words better.

Unlike in a one-on-one conversation, the distance between speaker and audience is often greater. Even in a sales presentation in a meeting room. As a result, seeing and hearing are harder to match. By speaking more slowly, the words ‘sink in more slowly', so the audience keeps up better with a subject that is new to them.

Speaking more slowly also gives you more control over your breathing, which makes you calmer. Comfortable for yourself and for your audience, then. But make sure the balance does not tip to the other side. Because speaking too slowly or too monotonously also has a downside.

Do you sometimes drift off during a presentation? You are not alone. According to Mark, your brain thinks at a speed of about 1,400 words per minute. The average speaking pace is around 130 words per minute. So your brain still has plenty of room to think about other things. Especially if the speaking pace is too low. We call that under-stimulation.

Not over-stimulation but under-stimulation, then, is a major concentration leak. The presentation is too simple, too boring or too slow for your brain. You drift off because your mind has room to do other things. You start clicking your pen, you make a drawing or suddenly think about dinner. That is an automatic process. Because a human brain always wants to use 100% of its capacity.

In a world full of distraction, it is therefore important to challenge your audience's brain. By bringing variation into your speaking pace, you guarantee more attention. Speak faster on simple subjects and more slowly on harder ones. A slower speaking pace ensures you are better understood because you speak more calmly yourself.

The audience will listen to you and regard you as a professional speaker. But do take care. Go too fast and the audience will miss information and not store it. And if you then go too slowly, they will drift off again. You will have to find your balance yourself; it is different for everyone.

A few more concrete tips you can apply immediately today, according to Mark. If you want to stay attentive, hold something in your hands. And if you are listening to a podcast or book, you can play it at 1.5 speed. That way your mind has less room to drift off.

Are you giving an important presentation soon? Do not hesitate to contact us for an impactful presentation design or coaching.

If you are curious about Mark's book, you can order it here. Or take a look at his website.