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Striving for brevity and minimizing filler words can enhance clarity, credibility, and engagement in both personal and professional interactions.
revity is the secret weapon of influential communicators. In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are everywhere, our words must work harder than ever to capture and hold attention. Yet, too often, we sabotage our own credibility with filler words, unnecessary explanations, and verbal clutter that drown out our message.
Lack of brevity invites our listeners to tune out. Filler phrases like, “That’s a great question,” or, “To be honest with you,” may seem harmless, but they distract from our message and create doubt. When we use these crutches, we unintentionally tell our audience that we’re stalling or uncertain about what we are saying. Brevity is the difference between an ineffective communicator and one who influences—Monday to Monday®.
So, how do we achieve brevity without sacrificing clarity or connection? It starts with intentionality. Here are three ways to harness brevity before you speak:
Eliminate Filler Phrases
These habitual phrases creep into our communication unnoticed, yet they dilute our message and undermine our credibility. The next time you prepare to speak, whether in a meeting, presentation, or casual conversation, challenge yourself to cut unnecessary words. Record yourself, listen back, and identify where you’re adding fluff. Awareness is the first step to change.
Pause Between Your Ideas
Silence is a powerful tool. When used effectively, a pause signals confidence, commands attention, and allows your listener to absorb your message. Many professionals fear silence, mistaking it for awkwardness, but in reality, it strengthens your presence. Before rushing to fill every second with sound, embrace the power of the pause.
Allow Your Words to Breathe
Brevity isn’t about speaking less—it’s about speaking with impact. We lose our listeners' focus when we communicate with unnecessary details. Instead, deliver your message with precision. Say what needs to be said, then stop. Let your words land. Give your listener the space to engage, process, and respond.
Concise communication has been shown to increase the effectiveness of messages. Research indicates that shortening social media posts by 10% to 20% can enhance their success, with messages up to 30% to 40% shorter than the original often being more effective. The same holds true in verbalizing our thoughts. The less we say, the more engaged and connected listeners are to our message.
I know that common sense isn’t always common practice. The challenge with communication is that we don’t often receive honest feedback. If no one tells us that we ramble or rely on filler words, we continue these habits unknowingly. That’s why intentional practice is key.
Brevity doesn’t require changing your message—it refines it. It declutters our thoughts and gives our listeners the space to connect with our words. After attending our two-day workshop, over 90% of our participants felt more confident when communicating with brevity. They reported stronger engagement from their listeners, clearer messaging, and an overall boost in credibility.
I challenge you to focus on brevity in your next conversation. Record a meeting, a phone call, or even a casual discussion. Listen for filler words. Notice where you could have paused for impact. Observe how your listener reacts when you say more with less.
Communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about influencing. And influence isn’t about how much you say; it’s about how well you say it. When you master brevity, you amplify your impact. You show up with confidence, clarity, and credibility—Monday to Monday®.
The question is: Are you willing to do the work to get there?
Related: Spotting Blind Spots That Undermine Your Credibility