Have you ever been told that you speak too fast? Most of us have been told to slow down at various points in our professional lives, especially when presenting in classrooms or during meetings, and for many of us, the initial reaction might be to brush it off. After all, a faster speaking rate has plenty of advantages. It can convey confidence, enthusiasm, and knowledge about a topic. We also live in an age where everyone’s time is limited, and sharing more information quickly is paramount.
All of this is true. Yet, we repeatedly see examples where a fast-paced delivery overwhelms the audience. This was true even in our recent presidential and vice presidential debate analysis with TalkMeUp. Candidates on both sides of the aisle were guilty of speaking too fast in certain situations. When this happens, the message doesn’t land as intended, opening the door to negative consequences.
Have you considered the negatives of a faster speaking rate?
- Reduced clarity, which leads to misunderstandings
- Lower audience retention
- Listeners struggle to keep up
- Increased audience alienation
- Higher disengagement
- Limited emotional impact
- Fewer nonverbal cues to enhance understanding (gestures, eye contact, etc.)
- Increased anxiety for the speaker and audience
- Crucial ideas and points have less impact
- Risk of appearing nervous or unprepared
Varying our speaking rate is more important than we think. We never want to speak too slowly. Then again, we don’t want to speak too fast, either. Doing so can confuse the audience or hinder their understanding of the material. Rapid responses to questions or rushing through presentations may be perceived as a lack of concern for the audience’s understanding and a lack of willingness to invest the time necessary to get on the same page.
Conversely, slowing down allows us to emphasize the importance of particular words, phrases, or points we try to make. We allow each word or thought to settle, thus increasing the audience’s ability to absorb what we’re saying and connect the dots.
It also signals to the audience that we are thinking about them and that a particular section is different and probably valuable.
4 Tips To Slow Down Your Speaking Rate
- Become more aware — Don't brush it off if someone says you speak too fast. Take this feedback to heart and find ways to slow down. Ideally, you should speak at roughly 130 words per minute. To get a feel for this slower pace, time yourself as you deliver a sentence or two. You can also record yourself and listen to your pacing. Keep practicing until speaking slower becomes natural.
- Ask for more feedback — It’s great when people automatically provide feedback. But in situations where you’re not receiving feedback, ask for it. Have a teacher or colleague in the audience pay particular attention to your speaking rate and take note of specific instances where you spoke too fast for your own good.
- Annunciate — If you focus on articulating each word you say (as if trying to ensure someone in the back of the room can hear every syllable you utter), you will naturally lower your speaking rate. Annunciation requires more intentional mouth movements. Even if you’re speaking faster than you should, your speech will be easier to understand.
- Incorporate cues into your written speech and notes — As you jot down your speech and various notes, purposely put the words (slow down here) in brackets at strategic points throughout the notes. You can also practice purposefully pausing for emphasis after key ideas or complex information. Doing so gives you a moment to breathe and for the audience to catch up.
The Business World Demands More Effective Communication
Whether you are an organizational leader, an employee working your way up the corporate ladder, or a political candidate with an important message to share with the world, improving your communication effectiveness through a varied speaking rate is essential. This is where tools such as TalkMeUp can help. TalkMeUp gives you and your teams the feedback everyone needs to communicate better—all in real-time. To me, that’s the best feature. You can practice with TalkMeUp repeatedly and track your progress as you learn to speak slower and more intentionally. As you see changes in your communication, others will see you as a leader who speaks passionately and confidently in any setting.
Interested in seeing how TalkMeUp can help you improve your communication skills? Try TalkMeUp for free with no obligation.
About the Author
Ron Placone, Ph.D., is an Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus of Business Management Communication and the Former Faculty Lead and Interim Executive Director for the Accelerate Leadership Center at the Tepper School of Business. Ron teaches a range of communication courses and leadership programs for Tepper students. Ron’s research interests include civility in discourse and fostering individual and team creativity. Previously at Carnegie Mellon, Ron was the Assistant Vice President for Learning & Development. Before joining Carnegie Mellon in 1999, Ron was Vice President and Director of Organizational Development and Communications for Mellon Network Services. Ron has been a consultant, leadership, and communication coach for numerous executives and corporate and not-for-profit organizations. He has consulted in health care, financial services, education, technology, and energy sectors. Ron has a Ph.D. in Rhetoric-English from Carnegie Mellon University.
