261. Contained Energy: The Missing Skill in Communication

For a long time, I thought my rushed speech was just part of my personality. I’m enthusiastic. I get excited about ideas. I like forward motion. So when I spoke quickly or acted fast, I assumed that was a feature, not a bug. 

Even a speech tutor who has known me for 20 years once told me I needed to “remove the attack” from my voice. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant. Now I do. That comment makes perfect sense in the context of how my pace and intensity can unintentionally create pressure for others. 

But over time, I started noticing a pattern that was harder to ignore: when I felt excited—or when I wanted something—people tensed up.

• Not because the idea was bad.

• Not because the request was unreasonable.

• But because my pace carried urgency.

 And urgency, even when well-intentioned, often feels like pressure. The real issue wasn’t speed — it was velocity. What finally clicked for me is this: 

Trying to “talk slower” doesn’t work if your nervous system is still in move-this-forward-now mode. 

When we’re excited or motivated: 

•  Our speech compresses

•  Our breathing shortens

•  Our bodies lean forward

•  Our ideas stack on top of each other

 To us, it feels like clarity and momentum. To others, it often feels like being pushed. So the work isn’t reducing energy. It’s learning how to separate excitement from urgency.

 A simple reframe that changed everything: 

 I don’t need momentum. I need permission. Permission comes from safety, space, and choice — not speed. When I slow down enough to give people room, conversations become easier, not harder.

I learned that small changes make an immediate difference:

1. I slow the start, not the whole conversation.

The first 10 seconds set the emotional tone.

Starting slower than feels natural creates safety.

I can always speed up later.

 2. I pause after the headline. Instead of explaining everything at once, I separate it: 

•  One clear headline

•  A pause

•  Then the details

 That pause signals confidence and respect.

 3. I add an explicit release valve when I’m asking for something.

Simple phrases like:

• “No rush - just wanted to float it.”

•  “If this isn’t a fit, totally fine.”

•  “Think about it and let me know.”

 Choice lowers tension instantly.

 4. I ground my body before speaking

• Feet flat on the floor.

• One full exhale.

• Jaw and shoulders relaxed.

 Stillness in the body creates stillness in timing.

 5. I delay the ask by 20–30 seconds. Connection first. Ask second. People are far more open when they don’t feel hunted.

In leadership, collaboration, sales, and communication in general, intensity without space creates resistance. Calm doesn’t mean low energy. It means contained energy. 

And contained energy is: 

•  Easier to trust

•  Easier to follow

•  Easier to say yes to

 Urgency narrows people. Calm expands them.

I’m still practising this — especially when I care a lot. But every time I slow the pace, I notice: 

•  Better conversations

•  Less resistance

•  More genuine engagement

 The skill is learning how to let that motivation land gently.

Warmly

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com

260. Own Your Space - Use Your Arms with Confidence

We have been running elocution lessons since 2007 and have helped hundreds of people become confident and effective public speakers.

What we have noticed is that most students are unsure how to use their arms and hands while speaking in public. This uncertainty often results in gestures that reduce the impact of a presentation and make the speaker appear tense or awkward.

Some of the most common distracting hand and arm habits include:

• Putting hands behind the back

• Creating a “chicken-wing” effect by holding the upper arms too close to the body

• Crossing the hands over the stomach

• Keeping hands in pockets

• Tight, clumsy-looking fingers

These gestures often signal a lack of confidence and suggest that the speaker is tense.

I experienced something similar when I started belly dancing. Being in control of my arms was one of my biggest challenges:

1. I tended to keep my upper arms too close to my body, making my hands look stiff and awkward (the chicken wing effect). My teacher told me that I needed to own my space and allow my arms to move freely and move them away from my body.

2. My fingers were spread awkwardly.

   In dance, fingers frame the movement; when used correctly, they elevate the dancer to something magnificent.

That advice applies just as powerfully to public speaking. Confident speakers are not afraid to use open, expansive arm gestures and to fully own the space they are in.

As a member of a public speaking club, I have noticed that even the most experienced public speakers can sometimes overdo their arm movements. The fact is that:

• too much movement,

• overly exaggerated gestures,

• constantly repeated gestures, or

• gestures that don’t match the words - can distract the audience rather than enhance the message.

Here are some strategies to get it right:

1. Be mindful, not mechanical

Plan your gestures to align with key points in your speech, but don’t force them on every sentence. Natural, purposeful movements have more impact than constant motion.

2. Own your space

Stand with a stable posture and allow your arms to move within your personal space. Avoid collapsing them close to your body, putting them in pockets, or hiding them behind your back. Confident speakers use open gestures to “claim” the stage.

3. Match gestures to words

Gestures should complement what you’re saying. For example, when enumerating points, show them on your fingers; when speaking about growth, use upward hand motions. This reinforces your message visually.

4. Practice restraint and rhythm

Less is often more. Overuse of gestures can feel chaotic. Practice your speech and notice where gestures feel natural. Pausing occasionally with hands at rest can make the gestures you do use stand out.

5. Record and review

Video yourself during practice sessions. Seeing how your arm movements look from an audience perspective helps identify distracting habits and improve flow.

6. Draw inspiration from other disciplines

Activities like dance, acting, or even martial arts teach spatial awareness and fluid arm movements. These skills can help you move with purpose rather than randomly.

When used with intention, gestures become quiet poetry, infusing your presence with elegance and grace and making beauty felt in both movement and sound.

In our elocution lessons, we record students’ speeches in both audio and video formats to help them develop strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills. To book a lesson, email: oriana_r@hotmail.com.

Warmly

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com

254. Anatomy of Success That Shapes Our Path

99% of our students are already high achievers—or well on their way to becoming powerful, influential people. We help them master their speech, and during our elocution lessons, many of them inspired me to write this newsletter.

There is a powerful factor we often overlook.

It can guide us toward success… or quietly hold us back.

It speaks long before someone hears our ideas

It's sensed...

What is it?

It is our presence, or the way we look, move, and speak.

Let’s break down the signs that help us project confidence and the habits that can get in our way. We’ll explore two simple areas: physical signs and speech patterns.

Posture: Straight and Grounded

• A straight posture doesn’t just look confident—it creates confidence.

• Standing tall with shoulders back signals readiness, authority, and openness. A slouched posture communicates hesitation, insecurity, or withdrawal.

• Power signal: Upright, aligned, and grounded posture

• Failure pattern: Hunched shoulders, shifting weight, or shrinking into yourself

Pace and Rhythm: Measured, Not Rushed

• When our movements are rushed or scattered, we signal anxiety or lack of control.

• Measured rhythm—walking with intention and moving with purpose—creates an aura of stability.

• Power signal: Smooth, controlled pace, no micromovement of improving hair, clothes. etc. No rush

• Failure pattern: Fast, rushed, abrupt, jittery movements or inconsistent rhythm

Peace: The Energy of Calm Confidence

• Power is not loud or frantic; it’s calm.

• A peaceful presence shows emotional stability and inner security. Others read this as leadership.

• Power signal: A calm, unhurried demeanour

• Failure pattern: Restlessness, fidgeting, or visible tension

Eye Contact: Direct Yet Respectful

• Looking directly at others demonstrates clarity and honesty. It shows that you are present, engaged, and unafraid.

• Power signal: Clear, steady eye contact

• Failure pattern: Avoiding eyes, darting glances, or looking downward

Speech patterns can amplify or diminish our authority in seconds. What are the speech patterns that signal power?

Pace: Measured and Intentional

• Speaking too quickly can make your message feel rushed or chaotic. A measured pace helps your words land with impact. It signals thoughtfulness and control.

• Power signal: Steady, intentional pacing

• Failure pattern: Rapid, breathless speaking or trailing off

Pause: The Secret Ingredient of Power

• Silence, when used appropriately, is powerful.

• A pause gives weight to your message. It lets listeners absorb your words. It communicates certainty rather than desperation to fill space.

• Power signal: Purposeful pauses to emphasise meaning

• Failure pattern: Rambling, fillers, or talking nonstop

Power Is a Habit, Not a Talent. The anatomy of success lies in our presence.

You can start empowering yourself with the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause

252. Speak Like a Leader

We’ve worked with ambassadors, business leaders, and top-level professionals through our elocution courses. Our work has helped them not only eliminate bad speech habits but also develop the language of power and leadership.

This article is based on the insights and methods we’ve used to support their transformation.

Avoiding Fillers

Filler words - "um, ah, like, you know, basically" - creep in when we speak without intention. They weaken your message, distract your audience, and make even strong ideas sound uncertain.

The solution is simple: slow down and pause. A pause is more powerful than any filler. It gives you space to think and gives your audience space to absorb your message. Confident speakers use silence as a tool.

Choosing Strong Words

Leaders choose words that are precise, vivid, and purposeful. Instead of vague language, they use words that clarify, energise, and strengthen their message.

Compare:

• “I think this might work…” vs. “This approach will give us stronger results.”

• “Maybe we should try…” vs. “Let’s do this.”

Strong words communicate leadership, conviction, and direction. They shape how others perceive you.

Speaking with Certainty

Uncertain language creates uncertain audiences. Words such as "might, maybe, probably, sort of, perhaps, etc." dilute your authority. While there is a time for caution, habitual uncertainty can undermine your credibility.

To sound more certain:

• Make definitive statements

• Replace vagueness with clarity

• Speak with intention, not hesitation

Certainty is persuasive because it signals confidence in your message.

Simple Language vs. Unnecessary Complexity

True intelligence lies in simplicity. Leaders can explain profound ideas in clear, accessible language. Overly complex or academic phrasing can alienate audiences and make your message harder to absorb. Simple language is not “dumbing down.” It is refining—expressing the essence of an idea without clutter.

When your message is simple, your audience remembers it.

Avoiding Repetition

Repetition can be useful for emphasis, but unintentional repetition weakens your impact. When you repeat the same words or phrases excessively, your message becomes dull and loses authority.

A strong communicator:

• uses synonyms and varied phrasing

• eliminates redundancy

• keeps the language fresh and dynamic

Variation keeps your audience attentive and your message persuasive.

Exercises for the Language of Leadership

These exercises we offer as homework after our elocution lessons:

Record your speech for 1-2 minutes. Choose any topic you can talk about comfortably.

1. Listen back and note every filler word. Write down the words or sounds you use: um, ah, like, you know, basically, etc.

2. Record a second version—this time replacing fillers with pauses. Focus on slowing down and using silence intentionally.

3. Listen again and identify any convoluted or uncertain language. Notice words like maybe, sort of, might, probably, or unnecessarily complicated phrasing. Rewrite these moments using clearer, stronger, and simpler language.

4. Record a final, polished version. Compare it with your first recording and observe how clarity, confidence, and simplicity transform your delivery.

More resources on www.batcsglobal.com

Olga Smith

242. The Question That Can Change Everything

“What’s the point? I don’t see the meaning of my actions. It’s not worth it.”

Do these thoughts sound familiar?

The truth is, many intelligent, capable people quietly struggle with this question. It’s not a lack of ability -it’s a loss of meaning. You can do things, but an inner voice whispers, “Why bother?” That quiet dialogue drains motivation until even simple actions start to feel pointless.

This often happens when we lose connection — to our goals, to a sense of purpose, or even to our own energy. We move through the day uninspired, disengaged, and uncertain why our efforts matter.

But there’s a gentle way out. Instead of asking, “What’s the point?”, ask a different question:

“What can this teach me?”

Even small experiences can become lessons. For example: 

•  Mastering your speech teaches you clarity, confidence, and how to express your ideas with impact.

•  Working on your pronunciation trains your ear to listen better — a skill that improves all communication.

•  Speaking in public helps you manage stress, stay calm under pressure, and connect with others authentically.

•  Repeating the same exercise builds patience, focus, and discipline — qualities that translate far beyond language learning.

 The point isn’t perfection — it’s growth.

The point is to live in a way that keeps your spirit awake — to stay curious, to learn, and to grow through everything you do.

Warmly,

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com