Practical ideas for better speaking: how we build our tools, how to use them well, and what communication research can teach us.
Research shows speakers believe their nervousness is far more visible than it actually is. Even better: just knowing this makes you a better speaker.
cognitive bias · speech anxiety · psychology · research
Read articleResearch shows that reframing pre-speech anxiety as excitement makes speakers more persuasive, competent, and confident than trying to calm down.
speech anxiety · psychology · public speaking
A 2001 paper found that 'uh' helped listeners recognize an upcoming word, while 'um' had no effect. Here is what that result does and does not mean.
filler words · communication · research
A 2022 study found speakers rate their own performance 46% lower than observers do. Your harshest critic is in your head, not the audience.
speech anxiety · public speaking · psychology
Research shows faster speech rate increases perceived confidence, which drives persuasion. The science behind why rapid speech signals competence.
persuasion · public speaking · research
Research shows observers watching the first 20 seconds of an interview greeting (audio included) can predict how trained interviewers will rate candidates on likability, self-assuredness, and competence.
job interviews · first impressions · communication
The viral TED talk promised power poses would boost confidence. Multiple replications found no hormonal effects. Here's what the science says really works.
body language · psychology · public speaking
Research shows video interview candidates score significantly lower than in-person candidates. The penalty exists even with perfect technology.
job interviews · video calls · research
Research shows stories with filler words are remembered 57% better than fluent speech. Here's why perfect delivery might be hurting your message.
filler words · communication · research
Research shows anxious speakers perceive neutral audiences as hostile. In one study, speakers saw judgment in pre-recorded faces that could not possibly react to them.
speech anxiety · cognitive bias · public speaking
Research shows people judge your trustworthiness, competence, and likeability in 100 milliseconds. More time only increases their confidence.
first impressions · psychology · research
Research shows strangers watching 6 seconds of silent footage can predict semester-long evaluations. First impressions form before your first sentence ends.
first impressions · nonverbal communication · research
Research shows vocal fry significantly reduces perceived competence, trustworthiness, and hirability. The penalty is especially harsh for women.
job interviews · communication · research
Research shows hand gestures don't just help your audience. They free your brain, improve your memory, and make your ideas stick long after you stop talking.
body language · psychology · public speaking
Stanford research identifies four mechanisms behind Zoom exhaustion. A study of 10,000 people reveals why video calls drain you and what actually helps.
video calls · psychology · communication