Pace: Speed, Confidence and Authority.

Fast pace: Urgency, nervousness or excitement.

Speaking at a fast pace can convey different messages depending on the context. It can signal excitement or urgency, which may be appropriate when trying to energize a team.

However, an excessively fast pace also risks overwhelming the audience.

More commonly, speaking too fast is interpreted as a sign of nervousness or lack of confidence.

It can give the impression that the speaker is anxious to finish or unsure about what he or she is saying.

Slow pace: Weighting, authority and clarity.

Conversely, a slower, more deliberate speaking pace tends to project thoughtfulness, composure and calmness. It gives listeners the space they need to process and assimilate the information.

Slowing down, especially when addressing key points or complex ideas, makes words seem to carry more weight and convey greater intentionality.

Speaking more slowly can make the leader sound more competent, comfortable with the topic and generally project more authority and clarity. Practicing a slower pace is recommended to sound more confident.

Varying the pace to maintain attention

The ideal pace is neither consistently fast nor uniformly slow; the key lies in variation.

Modulating the speed of speech, similar to the rhythm in music, adds expressiveness and helps maintain audience interest.

You can speed up slightly when telling an anecdote or describing a sequence of actions, but it is critical to slow down when presenting crucial information, making a decision or sharing an important insight.

This intentional variation in pace helps emphasize points, guide the listener's attention and make communication more dynamic and effective.

Summary

Speaking at a fast pace can convey excitement or urgency. However, it is more commonly interpreted as a clear sign of nervousness, anxiety or lack of confidence.

In contrast, a slower, more deliberate rate of speech tends to project thoughtfulness, composure and calm. It makes the words seem to carry more weight, conveying authority and clarity.

The key to the ideal pace lies in variation. Modulating the speed, slowing down at crucial points, adds expressiveness and helps maintain audience interest and dynamism.