Next on our journey through the physical skills of delivering a presentation or speech, the Speaking with Confidence series, is gestures. Body language has far more impact on audience members than what a speaker says. Really! Because of this, it is important to evaluate your use of gestures when preparing to deliver a presentation.
How You Can Become More Effective Using Gestures
If you have ever wondered what to do with your hands while delivering a presentation, you are in good company. It is one of the most common questions I have gotten while coaching public speakers. Once you start thinking about it, nothing really feels natural. Let’s examine a couple of guidelines that will get you on the way to confident gesturing.
First of all, realize that gesturing is naturally done by you and everyone else during normal one-on-one conversation. The idea is to transfer what you do in these conversations into your public speaking. Guideline #1 for gesturing is to make your gestures big and above the waist. Small gestures done in a low position do not look natural and may be hidden by a podium, a table, or your laptop screen. Involve your audience in your story by making your gestures with both hands when possible, big, and above the waist.
Guideline #2 is to avoid the temptation to hold something in your hand while speaking if it prevents you from gesturing. I’ve often seen a speaker holding an automatic advancer or laser pointer in one hand, and then steadying that hand with the other hand while using the pointer. This has the effect of almost completely neutralizing your gestures. If something you hold in your hand prevents you from gesturing, set it down, even if it is the automatic advancer. This gives you the freedom to gesture, and then move to the advancer to click to the next slide.
I distinctly remember one coaching session with a colleague. He was working hard on his public speaking; however, he seemed very uncomfortable and did not have a confident look. We evaluated his body language on video and decided to work on only one thing–gesturing. What a difference! He started with his arms and hands in the neutral position, down by his sides, and focused on giving himself ‘permission’ to gesture normally. Just working on this single aspect improved his look of confidence by at least 50%.
I’ve had a few colleagues tell me, “I’ve been told that I talk with my hands,” and then proceed to put their hands in their pockets, hold the edges of their jacket, or just stand stiffly without moving their hands or arms. Eek! This is one of the biggest mistakes a presenter can make. Remember that gesturing during natural one-on-one conversation is normal; hence, we should give our hands and arms permission to gesture naturally as we speak.
Be cognizant of your audience, and if there is a chance that any audience member is from a culture with which you are unfamiliar, be careful about use of certain gestures. I was once speaking in front of a group of colleagues which included a master trainer from another country. I was working hard on the physical skills of delivering my presentation. I was trying to avoid the ‘thumbs up’ gesture I’d been making recently, since it was becoming a bit distracting. After I completed my presentation, I was asked by the master trainer how I thought I did. I told her I was happy that I’d avoided the ‘thumbs up’ gesture. She indicated that I had inadvertently substituted another gesture, the ‘ok’ symbol. I agreed that I had remembered doing that once or twice. She responded with, “I counted. You did it 13 times.” I didn’t think too much of it until she added that it actually was a very vulgar expression in her native country. I was soooooo embarrassed! The moral of this story is to beware of certain gestures (including both ‘thumbs up’ and ‘ok’), and realize that some gestures can have different meanings in different cultures.
Other gestures to avoid include a clenched fist, pointing at someone with your hand making the shape of a gun, and pointing a finger directly at an audience member. If you need to gesture towards someone, extend an open hand towards that person. It is much less confrontational than any of the three choices mentioned above.
Use gestures in public speaking just like you do in one-on-one conversation. From the neutral stance, make gestures big and above the waist. Don’t hold something in your hand if it inhibits your gestures. Then relax and allow yourself to talk with your hands! The believability of your message is enhanced by a confident look. Gesturing is part of that package. As you work on looking confident, eventually you will feel confident.
© 2018 Marcia R Harmelink, DVM
Rocking H Veterinary Consulting