How to Use Strategic Pauses to Command the Room — Lessons from Michael Jackson for Business Presenters in Japan

On January 31, 1993, Michael Jackson stepped onto the Super Bowl stage in Pasadena. Before 100,000 fans in the stadium and 91 million watching on TV, he appeared in a burst of smoke, struck a pose—and held that pose motionless for 68 seconds. Then he slowly turned his head, held another pose for 20 more seconds, removed his sunglasses, and only then began performing.

It was a masterclass in anticipation, control, and presence.

Of course, no sane business presenter in 東京 would stand silently on stage for over a minute. In professional settings, that would be seen as bizarre and credibility-destroying. But Jackson shows us a critical principle:

Silence creates tension. Tension creates focus. Focus creates power.

Mini-summary: Silence, used deliberately, heightens attention and amplifies what comes next.

Because nerves make people:

• Speak too fast

• Speak too much

• Skip pauses

• Dump information like crashing waves

The result is cognitive overload: the audience cannot digest content because it arrives too quickly. In プレゼンテーション研修 with 日本企業 and 外資系企業, this is one of the most common issues we correct.

Contrast that with a memorable presentation the author once witnessed:
When introduced, the speaker didn’t appear. For 20 silent seconds, the audience was confused… until a voice emerged from behind them. Slowly, he walked forward. That unusual delay created anticipation, not awkwardness, and it worked beautifully in a business context.

Mini-summary: Nervous speed kills anticipation; intentional delay builds it.

The typical pattern:

1. Speaker is introduced

2. Walks on stage

3. Fiddles with laptop

4. Loads slides

5. Offers generic greetings

6. Slowly starts the talk

This sequence kills momentum.
Worse, it signals “I am not fully prepared”, encouraging audiences to mentally check out and reach for their phones.

A better alternative:

• Have someone else manage the slide deck

• Walk confidently to center stage

• Stand still

• Hold the room for 15 seconds

• Deliver a powerful opening line that justifies the tension you created

Fifteen seconds is long in a business room—but not too long. It signals authority and makes the audience lean forward.

Mini-summary: Eliminate mechanical fumbling. Begin strong, still, and intentional.

If you build tension, your first line must deliver. Avoid platitudes like:

• “Thank you for inviting me…”

• “It’s an honor to be here…”

These destroy the very anticipation you created.

Instead, choose:

• A shocking statistic

• A dangerous trend

• A bold statement

• A high-impact story

For example:

“In the next ten years, the fabric of Japanese society is going to be torn and shredded.”

By the 10-second mark, the audience is wondering why you’re not speaking yet. By the 15-second mark, they’re fully locked in. Then that explosive first sentence tightens the hook.

Fear and loss outperform hope and excitement. Risk grabs attention—especially in 日本企業 cultures where risk mitigation is king.

Mini-summary: Build tension, then release it with a powerful, fear-driven opening.

Think like a comedian with their timing or a conductor shaping musical phrasing. Pauses act as:

• Cognitive rest stops

• Dramatic spotlights

• Emotional anchors

• Pattern interrupts

Use them to:

• Highlight key phrases

• Signal transitions

• Create suspense

• Emphasize danger points

• Set up punchlines or insights

A great technique:

1. Pause

2. Deliver the keyword or critical phrase

3. Pause again

This “space–word–space” method magnifies the emotional and intellectual weight of your message.

A monotone or constant-level delivery flattens your performance. Variation creates life.

Mini-summary: Pauses give your most important words oxygen. Monotone delivery suffocates them.

The goal is not to imitate Jackson. It is to borrow the psychology behind his approach:

• Control the room

• Slow down the audience’s thinking

• Make them hungry for what comes next

• Show confidence by embracing stillness

• Time your verbal “releases” to maximize impact

Those who master anticipation—not just content—leave stronger impressions, elevate their personal brands, and deliver far more persuasive messages.

Mini-summary: Strategic anticipation turns ordinary presentations into unforgettable ones.

• Silence and stillness create anticipation when used intentionally.

• Nervous speed overwhelms listeners; controlled pacing draws them in.

• A 15-second pause before a blockbuster opening is highly effective in Japan.

• Fear-driven or high-impact insights outperform polite, generic greetings.

• Pauses throughout your talk spotlight key moments and keep audiences engaged.

• Variations in tone and timing are essential to avoid monotony.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, continues to empower both Japanese and multinational corporate clients with world-class communication and leadership programs tailored to Japan’s business environment.