Three Ways to Keep Yourself From Rambling 

If you find yourself “getting into the weeds” by using long sentences when sharing information or opinions….You might be a rambler!

If your friends and colleagues dread hearing you speak…. You might be a rambler!

If your clients, customers, or direct reports seem uncomfortable when you talk.…You might be a rambler!

If you find your neighbors or even family members keep avoiding your talks…. You might be a rambler!

Many of our clients are brilliant and interesting people. Even if you are all these things…You might be a rambler!

How do you put an end to this agony for yourself and others? As an Executive Communication Coach, I wish I could tell you an instant fix, but there is none. Instead, it takes some purposeful self-awareness and time with a speech coach that offers new strategies and mindsets to develop a more concise and effective speaking style. To move from monologues to dialogue, here are three quick tips:

  1. Use purposeful pauses. Most ramblers talk and talk and talk with no breaks, making it difficult for the listener to absorb all the information. Instead, use a few intentional pauses to add impact and allow room for thinking and content retention.
  2. Lean on a trusted framework. Many of our clients use the frameworks we teach them, such as H.E.C (Headline, Example, Comment), to become crisp and concise, especially on-the-spot, and the Four Step Outline for organizing content.
  3. Change your Rate and Pace. Rate and Pace are two different elements of speed. Your Rate is how many words you say in a given amount of time. Your Pace is how many thoughts are presented in a given amount of time. Adjust your Rate and Pace for maximum impact and understanding.

Use these techniques to increase your effectiveness and the impression you make on listeners. There is so much more that could be said here, but I don’t want to be a rambler. You get the idea.  

Spread the love

Author

Similar posts

Identifying Manipulative Communication in the Workplace

Manipulative communication in the workplace decreases work efficiency, increases job dissatisfaction, contributes to a hostile environment and lowers morale. Most people are challenged to identify manipulative tactics and even when they spot them, they do not feel competent in responding effectively. Spotting the manipulator can be difficult. They can be everywhere that humans are found. The manipulator can be anyone! They are difficult to identify because they are so well camouflaged and have no outwardly

Spread the love

Sometimes It Takes All Day To Get Nothing Done

In the past three years, we’ve had to look for creative ways to collaborate. We’re in the era of real-time virtual technology mixed with in-person meetings. It’s overwhelming. When we’re overwhelmed and spread too thin, we tune out and barely participate in one meeting as we often try to multitask. Zoom, Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, and many others give us no reason not to collaborate on our day-to-day jobs. However, with so many meetings, are we

Spread the love

Defensiveness Prevents Clear Communication

The First Moment: Defensiveness  If your listener is defensive, your point is probably missed. They have been left with the impression that you, intentionally or not, are criticizing their idea or them. Instead of focusing on getting solutions, they will be driven by this passion for defending the idea or their persona. They are struggling, and it may be your fault. You may have needed to set the right expectations; your tone may have needed

Spread the love