Filler Words are meaningless terms meant to give speakers time to determine their next statement, but are also used to connect with the previous statement. Filler Words represent the following, in most-used order:

  • and
  • like
  • I mean
  • look

Quite a few executives unconsciously use these filler words in media interviews, podcasts, town halls, presentations, keynotes, and other auditory forums.

Filler Words create less compelling narratives and put audiences to sleep.

Strike them from your vocabulary so you are better equipped to speak truth with authority. But only if you've done the work, have the evidence, and the experience to back the statements up.

Therefore, you should replace filler words with Storytelling Words, such as:

  • but
  • therefore

You will find second-order benefits of creating natural inflections in your voice, but also making your narratives stickier.