Why your rate of speech can matter at work

Speech rate can make a difference at work. First, of course, speaking too quickly can reduce listener comprehension. The actual rate of speech at which  someone has difficulty understanding depends on the usual rate of speech of the two people, the amount each knows about the topic being discussed, each person's hearing acuity and other factors.

Research has shown that people trust each other more when they match rates of speech. This is a process called speech convergence. This has implications for law enforcement, sales, counseling and management. One study showed that once trust started, speech rates began approximating each other.

However,  it is possible to mirror speech rates intentionally.

When trying to calm an angry person, speaking in a slightly slower rate of speech can be helpful. Another time when speaking slower (but not louder) is helpful is when speaking to someone whose English may not be fluent.  A third time to speak slowly is on the telephone, when leaving your phone number or an outgoing message.

Some people experience an unusual amount of difficulty with speaking slower. There could be several reasons for this, including cultural and physiological.

Business Speech Improvement, a corporate speech pathology practice,  provides intensive 1-2 day individual and small group coaching  on how to speak slower. For those who prefer to work on this themselves with some guidance, an e-book on How to Speak Slower in Six Simple Steps is also available.

Your rate of speech: why "too fast" actually takes longer

Your rate of speech: why "too fast" actually takes longer

The physician was speaking to the patient, explaining why he had made a certain diagnosis.

The patient merely stared, baffled. He knew the physician was speaking English; he was talking so quickly, though, and using so many new words that the patient had no idea what the doctor was saying.

Finally, the doctor paused, and the confused patient timidly said, "Could you say that in plain English?"

The doctor had to start over and explain it again. Have you ever had an experience like that?

People speak quickly for many reasons. For some, it's a cultural habit. For others, they presume the person to whom they are speaking is in a hurry, may be a supervisor, or otherwise has little time to listen. Some people speak fast because they assume that this makes them sound more knowledgeable, especially to people from other professional backgrounds.

Other  people talk rapidly because of time pressure to get to the next meeting or client/patient. Many people say routine things fast, such as telephone greetings, because they say them so often and don't realize how they sound to the listener. Lastly, there are some people who speak fast, realize it, and don't know

how to slow down. (A few of them are genuinely unable to slow down on their own, due to neurological disorders.)

If your rate of speech (or that of your employee) is fast, think about which of the above reasons applies to you. Speaking fast often means either the listener asks you to repeat yourself, or he does not understand you but does not bother asking you to clarify. In that case, your message is lost.

There are a number of techniques that you can use to slow your rate of speech down. To begin with, after realizing why you speak too fast, then think about when you talk rapidly. Is it during a certain event, such as when you give presentations, or when you speak to your supervisor? Is it all the time, or just when you answer the telephone? Are you able to slow down at all when you try?

Business Speech Improvement offers individual coaching and also an ebook, How to Speak Slower in 6 Simple Steps (scroll down for this).

Your message is worth communicating clearly! Get some help  today!

While you are here, check out the many archived blog posts on communication!