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The Power of the Pause. How to Use The Nonverbal Pausing to Get Action and Follow Through.

Research on persuasion and body language shows there is power in a pause. When you make a request, then pause for confirmation.

Say something like, “I can count on you, right?”

After you say it, pause for a response. Research shows this kind of request followed by a pause and then a commitment from someone, increases follow through from 62 to 81 percent.

The powerful steps for making a request that gets follow through.

  1. Ask for what you want
  2. Ask for a quick verbal confirmation
  3. Pause
  4. Maintain eye contact if you are face to face when making the request.
  5. Wait for their verbal confirmation. If they give you a head nod make noise such as a grunt, but don't say yes, ask for a yes.



Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at http://PattiWood.net. Also check out the body language quiz on her YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.