NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

EFFECTIVE GESTURING

by

David W. Richardson, CSP

 One of the advantages of videotaping and reviewing yourself when preparing for a presentation is that it allows you to observe your entire body.  Often, presenters concentrate on what they are saying and how they are speaking, and they fail to consider how they use their bodies.

 The nervous energy you experience as a presenter usually surfaces through some inappropriate body movement such as:

• Leaning on tables, lecterns, etc.

• Pacing

• Rubbing hands or touching body

• Eye contact away from the audience

• Shifting back and forth

• Excessive or repetitious hand movements.

 If you position yourself in a firm, neutral position, standing tall, facing your audience with arms at your sides, you will eliminate much of your nervous energy and be able to channel that which remains into effective, natural body gestures.  Effective gestures will add physical vitality to your presentation by helping you connect with and reach out to your audience.  Gestures will also have an impact on your vocal variety, tone, tempo, and pacing which will strengthen your credibility.

 Remember these guidelines for gesturing in a presentation:

1. Let gestures flow as you speak.  Quick movements distract an audience.
   

2. Emphasize important points.  When you add a nonverbal dimension to your presentation, your voice will be stronger because the physical action strengthens the flow of air from your lungs.  
   

3. Focus on your ideas.  Gestures should never become detractors from your presentation.  
   

4. Appear strong and natural.  Keep all gestures in your upper body (above the waist).  Gestures in the lower body are lost to the audience and are useless.  
   

5. Direct your audience.  Keep your hands in front of you at all times.  Appear to reach out toward your listeners for contact.  
   

6. Use open hands.  Don't point.  Two-handed gestures add a special punch to a presentation.  
   

7. Avoid touching parts of your body or bringing your hands together unless done to make a specific presentation point.

Follow these simple guidelines and watch how much more impact you can have with the gestures you use to make specific points.