For trainers and presenters to create pictures with their words, they must first conquer their nerves. Taming the nerves requires a master’s knowledge of three things: audience, subject and presentation style. In the first installment of this series, we discussed audience and subject. Last week, we covered elements of presentation style. Today, let’s talk about the role of movement in your presentation style.

The 3 Forms of Movement

In the context of training and presentation, movement can be broken down into three forms:

• Movement around the stage;
• Gestures; and
• Body language.

Let’s look at each of these forms.

1. Movement around the Stage

Nervous presenters tend to hide behind the podium, squeezing it tightly with both hands. Confident presenters who know their material generally move about the stage with grace. They’re perceived as approachable speakers.

Try to begin your speech or training program at a lectern or podium, if one’s available. But don’t stay there. You know your material! Get out from behind the podium. Walk to one side of the stage and talk to the audience members as if you were talking to them individually. Give them plenty of eye contact. Slowly move toward the center of the stage and talk to that group. Then move to the other side of the stage and talk to the group on that side. Continue the process.

2. Gestures

Gestures add action to your words. They don’t have to be wild. Just relax as you make your presentation and give your hands something to do. For example, if you’re making three points to your audience, raise your hand and count off each point sequentially with your fingers.

Watch videotapes of effective speakers like President Kennedy. Observe their gestures and see how they relate to what they say. Don’t try to copy them, but develop your own style of incorporating gestures into your own presentation.

3. Body Language

How you stand, the tilt of your head, the position of your arms and legs are all forms of body language. And it’s speaking for you, even if you’re not talking. In fact, body language may be so loud that it drowns out your verbal message.

Want an example? You’ve just asked your boss for a raise. She sits behind her desk, with her arms folded across her chest, head tilted slightly downward, not making eye contact with you and shaking her head sideways slightly. What do you think your chances are of getting that raise?

It’s the same when you make your presentation. Let’s say a student asks you a question. While he’s talking, you stand with your legs apart and your hands on your hips. What are you saying to that person? You’ve taken a defiant stance that says, “I don’t care what you have to say. I’ve told you and that’s it!”

However, suppose you stand with your feet together, your arms bent at 90 degrees and your palms upward. Now what are you saying? This is a position of openness. It indicates receptivity to what the person is asking you.

Conclusion

To become a better speaker/trainer/educator/presenter, you should listen to good speakers/trainers/educators/presenters. And practice often. One good way, is to find a Toastmasters club near you and get some practice. You could also practice that next training program on the Toastmaster audience before you present it to your employees at work.

With practice and the suggestions presented here, you, too, can be a Rembrandt and paint a verbal masterpiece.

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