For real, like, these need to go in the trash.
Having taught English face to face now for several eons of man, I have learned that one of the major obstacles to understanding someone is the overuse of filler words. The ”like”. The ”ums”. The ”uhhhhs”. The ”well, uh”….
There are at least 4 reasons you should stop doing this.
There are also a couple great methods you can use to stop.
4 reasons to cut out the filler words
#1: You sound less confident.
This one can really affect your performance in interviews, making you less hirable. Recruiters and managers generally prefer to hire people who can communicate well and if someone uses ”uh” to buy time every 6th word, it just does not give a good impression.
As the teacher, I understand you are often nervous during interviews. But, although it might be unfair, many people in the organization WILL see the constant filler words as representing a lack of confidence and know-how.
#2: Your presentations are going to suck if you don’t.
Yes…harsh truth here. You could be the most knowledgeable guy on the whole project. In the whole company! But if your PowerPoint presentation to the investors is littered with ”mkay?” and ”well, uh”, those subjected to the presentation will start checking the clock before you reach slide 5 of the deck. Your glowing verbal report on fixing all those bugs in the software won’t sound nearly as impressive if the CTO has to mentally filter out all of those filler words amidst the actual data.
I once had a teacher with the habit of saying ”ok?” as a confirmation question at the end of every sentence, practically. Now, she was a truly talented woman who knew her material backward and forward…and still left her students baffled almost every day. Being high school jackasses, we counted once; she said ”okay?” 126 times during a 45 minute class period. Don’t be that person.
Make your presentations better. Don’t be the one that sucks. Cut the filler words.
#3: Filler words are just annoying. They make it harder to understand the speaker.
Real Life Example from the swampy forest of my memory: Yea ummm, hi, I have some uhhh, questions for uhhh, Sherry. Uhhh do you know if she’s, like, available? – actual industrial engineer talking to the office secretary at a Fortune 500 office where I interned. Some snowy day in 2008.
While I again empathize with the introverts of this world (I am one, sometimes), having to hear someone sputter through a simple sentence is exhausting for the listener. One can lose track of the point of the request!
Do you see how much easier this is?
Good Afternoon, Lucy. I have some questions for Sherry. Do you know if she is available now?
The speaker goes from annoying and incomprehensible to being clear and concise. The listener goes from annoyed and confused to clearly understanding the intention of the request.
Less Filler Words = Easier Communication
#4: Most importantly, the filler words are a distraction to YOU.
Yes it’s time to get selfish here. When we become really observant about the process of speaking to other humans, we notice quickly that those filler words are often born from anxiety, uncertainty and even fear. We fill the air with these noises and it actually interferes with the next thought. The mouth says ”uhh” but for most of us the brain can’t think at 100% when the mouth is busy uttering nonsense syllables.
Don’t distract yourself with these useless words. Instead…
Remove These Filler Words
One: The Replacement Pause
I suggest that you start to cut them out slowly but surely, and replace them with short pauses when unsure or a bit lost. When you notice the impulse to utter the ”ummm” and disrupt the flow of your sentence, pause for a quick beat instead. Sometimes those Mind Freeze Attacks happen, and honestly a brief pause gives you the chance to collect your thoughts and move forward. Almost everyone I have talked to over the years agrees that saying ”uhhh” and ”well” does not actually help them process thoughts or come up with anything new to say.
Try to become conscious of the impulse, and replace the filler with a half-second break of silence instead. You might be shocked how fast your colleagues see you as more confident.
Be Prepared
Know your subject. Know what you’re going to present backwards and forwards. Study interview questions and be prepared to deliver some good answers to them. Preparation is so important but often downplayed in the modern world of instant gratification.
Start cutting out filler words today. See how much of a difference it can make in your verbal communication with your colleagues and beyond.
4 reasons to cut out the filler words
#1: You sound less confident when using ”uh” ”um” and ”well”.
#2: Your presentations are going to suck if you use them.
#3: Filler words are just annoying. They make it harder to understand the speaker.
#4: Most importantly, the filler words are a distraction to YOU.
Instead: Be Prepared and take brief pauses when the impulse arises to use the filler word. Your colleagues, subordinates and bosses will appreciate the effort.
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