On Filler Words
Most people use filler words. Consequently, the people who don’t use filler words stand out, in a good way. I’m currently in acting school and in the first lesson of acting school we were banned from using certain words: like, kinda, sorta/sort of, maybe, and “um” were among them. If any of us uses that word in class, the teacher calls it out immediately. He rarely misses one and by the second class, most of us were self-policing. After just one week I am trained to catch the use of filler words not only in myself but also in others. Now that I hear the filler words, I can’t un-hear them.
Part of why I attended acting school was influenced by an encounter with a man I later learned had been the head of an acting school. I meet people in real life who thoroughly impress me, partially because I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of impressive people. When I met this man, I was struck by his presence and the way he communicated. I hadn’t noticed at the time, but part of the way he spoke was with a precision utterly devoid of any filler words. Most people use filler words so often the casual ear won’t notice them. But subconsciously, I suspect notices the difference someone who uses filler words and someone who doesn’t. Don’t use filler words.
Think of any leaders, corporate, political, or otherwise. Listen to the way they speak. Some are better public speakers than others but step one of learning to speak in public is dropping all filler words. It is essential. I now notice on calls that the people who don’t use filler words sound much smarter than those who don’t. Conversely, smart people who use filler words when speaking sound less smart, impressive, and compelling. If you are a smart and impressive person with compelling ideas to share, it is essential that you don’t use filler words. Some people believe they can’t stop using filler words. That’s simply not true.
One absolutely can learn not to use filler words. If I can, anyone can. It’s a matter of practice and effort. Most people don’t hear themselves using filler words. Once I started listening to myself, however, I started to catch it. I’m sure I still don’t catch it all the time. But I’m already a lot better, and I can be sure my acting teacher will call out any slip-ups. I’m quite sure this will serve me well.
