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How to Kick “Like” to the Curb and Speak with Swagger

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Polished communication isn’t just for CEOs and TED speakers. Anyone can swap out filler words for confidence and clarity. If your sentences are punctuated by “like,” “um,” or “you know,” it’s time for a fun makeover—your words deserve center stage, not a backup dancer.

Why Ditch “Like”?

Filler words sneak in when we’re nervous, rushing, or hunting for the perfect phrase. They dilute your message and leave listeners waiting for the real point. By trimming these verbal crutches, you’ll sound more poised, persuasive, and downright magnetic.

Six Strategies for Articulate Delivery

  1. Self-monitoring: record meetings or presentations. Review the recordings to identify when and why you default to fillers. Awareness is the first step toward refinement.
  2. Deliberate pauses rather than filling a gap with a word, pause briefly. A controlled silence projects confidence, gives you time to organize your next phrase, and heightens audience engagement.
  3. Moderate your pace; speaking rapidly often triggers fillers. Slow down, enunciate deliberately, and give your mind time to select precise language.
  4. Thorough prepare an outline of your main points before any important discussion. Rehearse key messages aloud. Preparation minimizes uncertainty and reduces the impulse to fill silence.
  5. Cultivate a better vocabulary through reading and targeted practice. 
  6. . Reviewing this data allows you to set measurable goals and observe your progress.

Sustaining Progress

Eliminating verbal fillers is a gradual process. Acknowledge small milestones—fewer fillers per meeting, presentation or conversation—and adjust your strategies as needed. By combining self-awareness, deliberate practice, you’ll establish a clear speaking style that commands attention and respect.

Elevate Your Communication with the International Etiquette Centre Business Etiquette Workshops

Ready to eliminate “like” and speak with confidence?

Contact us to schedule a workshop or discover our certification programs tailored to your professional goals.

Elena Brouwer

Elena Brouwer doesn’t just teach international protocol — she lives it, breathes it, and packs it in her suitcase wherever she goes. As the Director and Chief Etiquette Officer of the International Etiquette Centre, Elena transforms the sometimes-intimidating world of cross-cultural manners into something exciting, empowering, and — dare we say — fun.

Armed with a certification from the Protocol School of Washington D.C., and with teaching credentials from the University of Miami and Florida Small Business Development Centers, Elena has helped everyone from Fortune 500 leaders to young entrepreneurs feel confident at any table — whether it’s a boardroom in Tokyo or a café in Madrid.
Her background? A global mosaic in itself: Chinese, Spanish, Irish, and Jewish roots, all wrapped up in a U.S. upbringing. Combine that with her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, and you get someone who doesn’t just talk about cultural awareness — she embodies it.

Elena is also Florida’s Ambassador of Commerce At-Large (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds!). When she’s not speaking on global stages, she’s writing for major publications, quoted by the press, and mentoring future business leaders at the University of Miami. You might also find her at Toastmasters, polishing speeches — or hopping on a plane to discover what makes manners tick in yet another part of the world.
So whether you need to navigate a royal reception or just figure out which fork to use at dinner in Paris — Elena’s got your back.
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