One of the most important components of a successful presentation is the tempo of your words.

Here are rules for you to remember and implement in attempting to connect verbally with another person (be it a sales pitch, a negotiation, or a romantic overture):

1. People are most comfortable with individuals who speak at roughly the same pace as they do.

Numerous studies have shown that one way to solidify a connection with another person is to mirror his/her speech patterns. This includes content as well as tempo.

A slow speaker is going to be unconsciously uncomfortable with a fast talker. And, visa versa.

So listen to the speech pattern of the person you wish to influence or persuade and make a deliberate effort to mirror its pace. Do not imitate, but generally keep about the same range of speed.

2. Most often, we all speak too quickly.

More often than not, we speak too rapidly when trying to engage or persuade others. When excited, our heart rate and breathing escalate. And, while we may not know it, we tend to increase the tempo of our speech.

So, you should almost always slow yourself down a little bit.

3. The quicker you speak, the less control you have over your comments.

The best way to regulate and tailor your comments to the exact expectations and needs of whomever you’re trying to influence is to put several beats between the origination of a thought in your head and the articulation of that thought.

This is a skill everyone can learn and, in my judgment, one of the most critical talents in the business world. Roll a thought over in your mind – just for a few seconds – before you let it fly verbally. In this way, you increase the power of your words tenfold. When you speak quickly, you eliminate a second or two from the gap between thought and articulation.