Don’t Say This One Word.

“Um”

Typical classroom scenario:

Teacher asks a question.

Student raises hand.

Teacher calls on student to respond.

Student responds with, “Ummm . . . “.

There are lots of reasons why all of us make the sound “um”. Usually it’s because we are still thinking. Or we haven't found the exact word that we want to say because we're still formulating the sentence or thought in our mind.

​Maybe it's just a bad habit.

Tape yourself while you're teaching. Do you do it?

The problem is that the sound of “um” communicates indecisiveness, a less than firm grasp on vocabulary, the inability to express ourselves in the moment. “Umm” is the verbal equivalent to watching someone compulsively blinking.

We're so accustomed to scripted movies and TV shows where the snappy response comes immediately and effortlessly that it's easy to forget that it rarely happens that way in real life. The ability to come up with funny responses and one-liners is a sign of someone who can think “funny” on command. It emanates from equal parts DNA, viciously quick observational skills, and the quirky ability to make instant correlations.

It is far better to stifle the “um”, simply be quiet, formulate the thought, and once formulated, say what needs to be said.  You'll notice that the silence entices people to lean in with expectation  of what you're going to say.
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The beauty of silence is it creates space that allow everyone involved in the exchange of ideas to briefly reflect on what was last said.  You’ll notice that the silence entices people to lean in with expectation of what you’re about to say.

Whatever you say after a second or so of silence will have slightly more impact. Watch a few famous soliloquies and you'll hear – and see - the power of silence. Silence is what makes Laurence Olivier a great actor. It's what makes Miles Davis in incredible musician. It’s what gives Tang Yau Hoong’s art a stand-out quality.

Adults and children alike say “um” all day long in schools. It approaches feedback levels in some classrooms. I would often say that “um” was two letters away from “dumb” and none of us are dumb so steer clear of “um” before people start adding letters to your words.