1026: How to Stop Saying Um and Become Super Articulate with Michael Hoeppner
Jan 23, 2025
auto_awesome
Michael Chad Hoeppner, CEO of GK Training and author of "Don't Say Um," shares his expertise on powerful communication. He reveals innovative physical exercises to improve articulation and combat filler words like 'um.' Listeners learn how vocal expression, body language, and posture can elevate their speaking. Hoeppner emphasizes practical techniques like silent storytelling to enhance confidence and clarity. This engaging discussion unlocks the secrets to authentic, impactful communication in both personal and professional settings.
Enhancing articulation involves intentional word choice and physical techniques like finger walking to improve clarity and impact.
Effective communication requires mindful physical presence and grounding techniques that support posture and voice projection during speech.
Deep dives
Choosing Words Mindfully
Becoming more articulate involves focusing on the intentionality of word choice rather than overly analyzing filler words such as 'um' and 'like'. Instead of allowing words to spill out haphazardly, practicing techniques like finger walking helps individuals to concentrate on each word's significance and delivery. This mindfulness in communication lowers the percentage of often unnecessary vocabulary used during speech, enhancing clarity. By prioritizing thoughtful construction of sentences, speakers can transform their verbal communication into more impactful dialogues.
Communication as a Physical Art
Effective communication is portrayed as a physical endeavor rather than a purely cognitive one, emphasizing the importance of body posture and physical presence. Techniques like grounding one's feet and maintaining an upright posture have profound effects on delivery and audience perception. Using imagery, such as relating one's head to a helium balloon that helps elevate the torso, encourages speakers to adopt a relaxed yet confident demeanor. This embodiment of good posture not only aids in breath control but also supports voice projection during speaking engagements.
Conciseness and Clarity
Achieving conciseness in communication involves practicing the art of brevity through tangible methods like using Lego blocks to represent thoughts visually. By verbally articulating one idea at a time and allowing momentary pauses between thoughts, speakers can better focus on essential content. This method allows for natural reflection, enabling individuals to evaluate what is necessary to convey effectively. Resulting in a more precise and engaging conversation, this practice aligns with the discipline of impromptu speaking and avoids rambling.
Improving Enunciation
Enunciation can be notably enhanced using the practice of speaking with an impediment, such as a toothbrush or another safe object placed between the teeth. This technique forces the speaker to articulate clearly, helping muscles related to speech become stronger in response to the added challenge. An analogy is drawn to athletes who train with restrictions to boost their performance, showing that similar principles apply in communication skills. This physical exercise fosters improved clarity in speech once the impediment is removed, leading to better overall verbal communication.
Michael Chad Hoeppner is theCEO of GK Trainingand is on a mission to help people speak well when it matters most. With nearly 20 years in the field, Hoeppner has taught at Columbia Business Schooland coaches thousands of professionals around the world.
His corporate clients include three of the top eight global financial firms, one third of the AmLaw100, two of the four US professional sports leagues, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, and multinational tech, pharma, and food and beverage companies.