*Why do people remember your story’s awkward silence more than your polished conclusion?*

Because silence *isn’t empty*. It’s *charged*.

In storytelling, we often rush to fill every second with words. But science says: *pause more*.

A 2023 study in the journal *Brain and Language* found that **strategic pauses** in speech increase listener engagement and comprehension. Pauses give the brain time to process, anticipate, and emotionally connect.

In fact, the brain responds to a well-timed pause the same way it responds to a plot twist: with a spike in attention.

Try this:
Use the **power pause** technique.
Right before your key moment–pause.
Let the silence *build tension*.

Examples:
[?] “And then I realized… *I was the one holding us back.*” (pause before the realization)
[?] “We had one shot. One client. One chance to prove we could do it.” (pause before the outcome)
[?] “I walked into the room, looked around, and thought… *this is it.*”

The pause gives your words *weight*.
It signals: *this matters*.

One thing to try:
In your next story, pick one sentence that holds emotional or strategic importance.
Now insert a 2-second pause *before* you say it.
Let the silence do the heavy lifting.

Because sometimes, the most powerful part of your story…
is the part you *don’t* say.

#Storytelling #ExecutivePresence #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipCommunication #PresentationSkills #NarrativeStrategy #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessStorytelling #NeuroscienceOfStorytelling #CommunicationSkills