THE 5 FOUNDATIONS EXPLAINED

FOUNDATION 1: SPEED (Pace)

What It Is

Speed is how fast you deliver your words. It's measured in words per minute, but more importantly, it's the rhythm and intentionality of your speech.

What It Communicates

• Rushed (120+ words/min): Anxiety, panic, nervousness, lack of preparation
• Intentional (80-100 words/min): Confidence, groundedness, control
• Too Slow (below 60 words/min): Uncertainty, condescension, lack of conviction

Why It Matters Most

Speed is the single most powerful foundation because it changes everything else. When you slow down, you automatically:

• Lower your voice (breathing space)
• Pronounce words more clearly
• Give people time to absorb
• Signal that you're in control

Real-world example: A woman pitching to executives rushes through her idea because she's nervous. Executives think: "Why is she rushing? Is something wrong with this idea?"

Same woman, same idea, intentional pace: Executives think: "She knows what she's talking about. I should listen."

The Cost of Rushing

When you rush:

• People don't absorb your message (too fast to follow)
• You sound unprepared or panicked
• Your authority is undermined
• You can't read the room (too focused on delivering)
• People interrupt you (they don't think you're serious)

The Power of Intentional Pace

When you slow down:

• People actually hear you
• You sound confident
• Your words have weight
• You can pause and let ideas land
• People listen instead of interrupt

Reference Videos: 

Watch these two videos to observe real‑world examples of how speed of speech affects credibility, clarity, and emotional impact. Pay attention to how each speaker uses slow pacing to emphasize key ideas and faster pacing to transition or energize the audience.

Look at this content from Tawny Platis and see how speed of speech affects identity of the character, rhythm and intentionality. 

Look at this Ted Talk by David Fishman and learn how pacing affects emotional resonance. 

How to Practice Speed For Yourself

Exercise 1: Record Yourself

1. Take a message you need to deliver (feedback, pitch, announcement)
2. Record yourself saying it at your natural speed (baseline)
3. Record yourself saying it 20% slower (measure: count words, slow your pace)
4. Record yourself saying it with intentional pauses (pause 1-2 seconds between sentences)
5. Listen to all three
6. Which one sounds most credible?

Exercise 2: The Pause Practice

1. Write out your core message
2. Mark places where you'll pause (after important statements, before transitions)
3. Read it aloud, pausing where marked
4. Practice until pauses feel natural (not forced)
5. Record and listen

Exercise 3: Read Like You Mean It

1. Take a paragraph from a book or article
2. Read it at your normal speed (rushed)
3. Read it like you believe every word (slow, intentional)
4. The second version is the pace you want for leadership