I’m not thinking here of a monk’s washing…. I’m more thinking of the kinds of phrases that have become so popular they annoy people. (Worse, they might even be nonsense phrases to begin with.) Oxford University scholars have just released information which might just help you avoid annoying your audience with their ‘pet hates’. Use certain combinations of words and you’re asking for trouble.
Examples include “24/7” and “At the end of the day….” and “I, personally“. (My pet hate, by the way is “At this moment in time…“.)
Now, because we often use phrases like this as fillers (something we say instead of “um” or “err” to give ourselves time to think) it’s very hard indeed to spot them as we say them. For once – just this once – I’ll give you permission ( :) ) to record yourself and play it back. Of course even when you play back a recording of your presentation you might not notice such phrases because after all they’re uttered without thought on your part…. so this might be a good time to test the limits of a friendship by getting them to listen to your recording.
Talk about dangerous presentation tips! :D
My speech teacher always had us pay attention to our use of non-words like “ya know” and “um.” Like you said, your examples fall into that category. It’s just filler to give you time to think.
Sometimes I’m surprised people are scared to just be honest and say, “Let’s see, where did I leave off,” or, “Where was I, I got derailed for a second,” when they lose their train of thought.
As long as you’re comfortable in your own skin, you’ll make your audience comfortable. You’re giving a presentation, not acting a scene out.
You’re really big on not recording yourself, huh Simon?
Hi Roland – actually I’m softening towards recording myself. What I really object to (with a passion! :) ) are those “trainers” who don’t really understand how the camera changes people’s behaviour. The simply swan into a company saying “We’ll video all your staff and give them feedback.”… and then charge a fortune for a flawed activity! :D
Or maybe I’m just jealous about how much money they take without doing much work!
Seriously, for people who are pretty sure about what they’re doing “on stage” I’m less worried about recordings but for ‘newbies’ it’s not a wise thing to do. My experience is that it does two bad things.
Firstly, putting cameras in front of presentation newbiews makes them at least as nervous as putting them in front of an audience (and I don’t believe in throwing people in a the deep end). Secondly, it means they change their behaviours… and how is that supposed to mean you can give viable feedback on something you’ve not recorded anyway!
Okay, I’m over-stating the case I know and I’m getting a nose-bleed from standing on my soap-box so long!!!!