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10 Common Pitfalls To Avoid When Speaking

I used to say “you know“ on podcast recordings – a lot.

Filler words are just 1 of 10 common pitfalls. The problem: 99% of speakers fall into at least one of them.

If you want to captivate audiences, then avoid these 10 cardinal sins:

#1 Uptalk: Rising intonation turns statements into unintentional questions, undermining authority. Avoid questioning yourself in every sentence.

#2 Filler Words: Excessive "um," "uh," and "like" dilute your message. Allow intentional pauses instead.

#3 Asking for Affirmation: Adding "right?" or "correct?" can seem insecure. Seek affirmation judiciously.

#4 Speaking in Past Tense: Past tense sounds transient. Opt for present tense for something more enduring.

#5 Overusing Qualifiers: "I think" or "maybe" weakens authority. Speak confidently by ditching qualifiers.

#6 Monotonous Monologue: A flat tone causes minds to wander. Inject energy through vocal variety.

#7 Mumbling: Enunciate clearly so your audience can understand you.

#8 Strong Accent: While accents are fascinating, strong ones hinder understanding. Focus on clarity.

#9 Jargon Overload: Excess jargon alienates audiences. Aim for simplicity.

#10 Epic Story, No Point: Rambling stories lose interest. Ensure tales have a clear purpose.

Often we don’t even notice that we are doing it. I noticed my inflationary use of “you know” because I listen to my own podcast episodes to draft the show notes and this newsletter.

You can do the same: Conduct a communications audit. Record yourself to identify areas for improvement, and focus on enhancing one aspect at a time. Repeat for continual improvement.

Public speaking is a skill that can be improved. And listening to ourselves is one of the quickest ways to do it.
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Nø Rules

Caroline Kroll is the dynamic founder and CEO of Nø Cosmetics, a disruptor in the clean beauty realm. Her innovative approach to clean beauty has not only disrupted the industry but has also set new standards for brand communication and community engagement.

She reveals her unique social strategy on Speak Like a CEO – her very first podcast interview in English. Learn why she rejects conventional Instagram tactics, shuns influencers, and closes shop on Black Friday.

Listen on Spotify and Apple:

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Secrets of a Viral TED Speaker

Julian Treasure's TED talks have amassed over 150 million views worldwide.

His presentation on powerful speaking alone has around 100 million views, making it the 6th most popular TED talk of all time.

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And my favourite TED Talk of his teaches us Five Ways to Listen Better.

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I’m excited to share that Julian will be a guest on our podcast in February when we will dive deeper into his fascinating insights on how to speak, listen and connect with those around you.

Have an amazing weekend!

Best,

Oliver

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Whenever you are ready, here are three things I can help you achieve so you can communicate like the world's top CEOs:

1. Speak Like a CEO: Leadership communications with impact
2. Become Unignorable: The proven way to becoming a thought leader
3. Build a Message Machine: Turn your company into an agile communications machine

Book your free clarity call for 1:1 coaching with me here​.​

Friedrichstraße 68, 10117 Berlin

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