Speak with Confidence

Chapter 15The Power of Pauses

NFL superstar Deion Sanders, known for his bling and flashy suits, likes to say, “Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, they pay good.” On the face of it, wearing a custom‐made suit off the field shouldn't make a player catch a football better when he's on it. What Sanders really was talking about was confidence. Anyone making it into the NFL has the ability, but a loss of confidence could neutralize it. Of all the factors (look, feel, play, and pay), looking good is the easiest to control. Addressing that can create an upward spiral of confidence. When you look good, it affects how you feel and … you know the rest.

The remaining chapters in Part III will address the way you sound—pauses, filler words, volume, pitch, clarity, and more. Don't dismiss these as inconsequential window dressing compared to the content of the message. Not only are they vital for effectively transmitting your message and holding attention, but (and just as important) they'll help you feel more confident. Sound good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, they pay good.

Sound good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, they pay good.

Pauses Are Magical

I was recently holding a communication workshop for an executive team in California, and about halfway through, one of the founders asked, “So, Mike, of all the things you teach, what's the number one thing you tell executives?”

I said, “That's easy. It's …” and I paused, waiting as each pair ...