Richard Thaler @ RSA
RSA, a British organization, is similar to TED in America in that they both provide a Speakers forum where new research, ideas, solutions are presented. These are wonderful opportunities for us to observe often well known talented people present their work to a live audience.
In this case, Richard Thaler, Professor of Behavioural Science and Economics at the University of Chicago, speaking at an RSA event, urges us to recognise our “human-ness” as a given and to use the way we think to our advantage. But for the student of Speaking,
Professor Thaler provides us with a clear example of the constant, chronic use of the ‘ahhh‘ & ‘ummm‘. These verbal place holders or space fillers are commonly heard. But when they are constantly heard as in the presentation of Professor Thaler, they distract from the message content and might even discourage attentive listening. And of course that’s not the goal of a Speaker.
Watch this video for the information if you like, but as a Speaker, watch it for the lesson it offers You. Do you ‘hmmm’, ‘ummm’ and ‘ahhh’ throughout your Presentations?
Being aware of your behavior is the first step in changing it.
