There you are, up in front of your class or congregation, giving it everything you've got. But one question bugs you. Are they really listening?
Whether you're a preacher, teacher or church leader, it's an important question. The message you carry is too important to not know the answer.
Why is it that some of your messages are well received while others aren't?
Consider that part of it might be pace. You are speaking to a variety of people who don't all "hear" at the same rate.
If you have taken the DiSC profile, you're familiar with the 4 dimensions of human behavior: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. If you haven't yet taken this insightful profile, check out the sidebar for a quick overview.
As you can imagine, these dimensions shape
how and
what a person hears.
Those high in the D and I dimensions likely "hear" at a much
quicker pace than others. They need a faster pace to keep them engaged and challenged. If you're speaking more slowly than they hear, they may be gone by the time you arrive at your main point!
Other people "hear" more slowly, especially those who are high in the S and C dimensions. It's not that they disagree with what you're saying; it's just that they may not be able to keep up with you! Like a saturated sponge, they can only take in so much at a time. If you're rolling along at a speedy clip, your message simply can't be absorbed.
I have one colleague who prays and preaches at such a fast pace in such a loud voice that even words of invitation and comfort feel like being hit with a spray of bullets. I sit in the back when visiting that church, so as not to get hit!
Another colleague is so slow and gentle in her delivery that even demanding truths feel like dangling questions. There, I feel bored, even though her content is anything but.
As you are preparing your next message, try paying attention to pace. So that more of your students and congregants can truly hear what you're saying.
3 TIPS on PACING
1. If you are a moderate-paced speaker, speak more quickly, eliminate pauses, and shorten up your sentences. Raise your voice a bit, and speak more firmly. Eliminate long descriptions and be careful not to ramble. Try adding a few exclamation points into your delivery!
2. If you are a fast paced speaker, consciously slow down your delivery. Add some reflective pauses. Those not only make for a dramatic presentation, they allow people time to process what you're saying. Draw out your descriptions a bit to further engage people in your ideas.
3. Vary your pace within a single message. Modulate your voice. Changing things up keeps people on their toes.
Pace isn't the only factor that impacts teaching, speaking and preaching. There's also priority and perception. All 3 P's matter.
Want to Learn More?
Pastors and church leaders, want to learn more? We look deeply at all three Ps in DiSC and Discipleship: The Step by Step Program to Understanding and Transforming the Culture of Your Congregation. Check out the video below.
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| DiSC and Discipleship A Step by Step Program Introduction |
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