This is a very simple way to boost your credibility when speaking.

No matter whether in team meetings, on an industry panel, a presentation, pitch or in a one-to-one conversation.

You may be prone to using verbal fillers such as “err”, “uh”, “um” but they can make you appear unprepared, nervous or unsure of your facts even if you aren’t. Dare I say that it can even make you appear less intelligent than you are and I’m sure you don’t want that.

Using these filler sounds are a verbal tick that might give you comfort when you are thinking and don’t want to be interrupted or give up your turn to speak to someone else.

But if you are well prepared and what you are saying is powerful enough then this tactic is unnecessary. And credibility trumps everything else.

To stop the “errs”, “uhs” and “ums” ruining your credibility simply shut your mouth.

Deliver your message, present your slide, make your argument, answer the question, whatever it is you need to do and then shut your mouth.

This simple trick will, after a short time, stop you from saying “err”, “uh” and “um” again.

Give it a try today. Say what you have to say then shut your mouth and watch your credibility as a speaker rocket.