We know from the research that the way we talk (speed, pauses, pronunciation, volume, etc.) triggers certain judgements about our Credibility.  It seems that we humans have an innate competence detector.   Research by Brandeis University Professor Leslie Zebrowitz suggests that “strangers can judge intelligence at levels significantly better than chance from bried exposures to a target’s face, voice and other non-verbal cues.”

Work by University of Victoria researchers Reynolds and Gifford suggests that auditory cues are more strongly related to intelligence than visual ones.  Reynolds and Gifford found that the following speaking styles are interpreted as higher intelligence:

• Less halting speech
• More standard use of language
• Speaking more words
• Speaking each word clearly
• Speaking faster

What does this mean? If you are excellent at thinking on your feet, then you are likely not much affected by it.  However, if you’re like most of us, when you have to think on your feet your mouth has to wait for your brain to catch up and give direction.  Thus, your delivery is peppered with halting stutters and stammers.  Listeners perceive such a delivery as evidence that you lack a certain amount of mental snap.

How can you use it? Prepare.  When you are prepared you can improvise more easily and deliver powerful answers in a convincing style.  Practice.  The more you practice delivering, the more natural and fluid your delivery will become.