How to Choose Your Words and Stop Saying "Um" (and "like", "kinda"...)
Presented by LeRoy McClain
Most people think “um” is just a bad habit. It’s not. It’s a symptom — of nerves, pressure, or unclear thinking. The same goes for filler words like “like,” “sort of,” or “kinda.” If they’re slipping into your speech, especially in high-stakes moments, there’s a reason.
In this live session, you’ll learn why those words show up, what they’re actually signaling, and how to replace them with pause, intention, and clarity. You’ll walk away with simple, effective drills you can practice immediately — whether you’re leading a meeting, speaking on a panel, or just trying to sound more confident.
You'll learn how to:
Use practical tools to eliminate “ums,” “likes,” and vague qualifiers
Word choice impacts executive presence
Develop a more confident and clear communication style — under pressure
I'm impressed by how engaged your team is in the participants that are here. I was certainly not expecting to get so much individual attention. I love it!
I really enjoyed the webinar. It was fun, authoritative and interesting. That’s a great combination.
Thank you for the helpful and practical tips for navigating nerves. You did an excellent job, and even gave us some real-time examples of how to handle unexpected interruptions with grace and poise.
SAVE YOUR SEAT NOW:
📘 Bonus Gift: Register now and get a free PDF of the Navigating Nerves chapter from the bestselling book Don’t Say Um.
meet the presenter:
LeRoy McClain
GK's Lead Executive Coach
LeRoy McClain brings a unique blend of professional experience and training to his work as a GK Executive Coach. With a background spanning performance and education, LeRoy specializes in helping clients elevate their communication through vocal presence, physical connection, and clarity of structure.
His coaching focuses on increasing vocal strength and resonance, enhancing physical awareness, and helping professionals design and deliver messages that are clear, precise, and compelling. LeRoy supports clients in building a stronger connection with their audiences—whether they’re presenting to teams, leading meetings, or delivering high-stakes messages to clients or stakeholders.
LeRoy holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama and a BA from the University of Connecticut. His approach is grounded in decades of experience as a performer and communicator, and he brings that insight into every coaching session. His work with GK Training helps clients across industries tap into the power of presence and express themselves with greater confidence, authority, and ease.
