Speakers Bureau Tool Box

Body Language

Nonverbal communicators are always working -- the way we dress, our posture (sitting or standing), our hands and gestures, the look on our face, and especially our eyes and where we look as we speak.

Speak Eye to Eye
Say each word looking into someone's eyes. Nothing is more powerful than eye-to-eye contact. Look at each person's eyes for one to two seconds. Don't glue your eyes to your notes or the back wall while you are saying words. Distribute eye contact randomly, not mechanically, around the room focusing on one person at a time.

Nothing is more important for your success.

Show a Friendly Face
Wear a face that proclaims: "I'm happy to be here." A friendly face tends to be believed. A friendly face also adds warmth to your voice. Smike at least at the beginning and end of each presentation. let a smile be the bookends of your talk.

Stand Tall & Comfortably
To stand with comfrot and ease, try this: plant your feet apart shoulder-width, with heels closer and toes fanned out. Plant your feet firmly on the floor 90-percent of the time. Keep the rest of your body, from ankles up, loose and animated. Avoid aimless wandering.

Sit Leaning Forward
While speaking from a sitting position, lean slightly forward (20-degrees) from the waist with a straight back (don't lean back). Rest your elbows/arms loosely on the table.

Dress Well & You'll Speak Well
Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and effective. Dress the way your listeners would expect you to dress, not necessarily the way they are dressed. To appear tall, dress in clothing with vertical lines and avoid horizontal lines. A man's tie should reach the belt buckle or lower. For me and women, dark jackets convey authority. In general, dress up for an audience. It's a sign of respect, as we dress up for visitors. People like to do business with people who look successful.

Let Your Hands Speak
Gesture as you do in lively conversation. Find a neutral hand position -- hands at sides or arms forward, ben at the elbows. Then, forget your hands. Let them gesture naturally. Here are three tips:

• gesture with both hands
• in front of your body shoulder high or higher
• with live fingers, as if you're holding a beach ball.

Gesture, then return your hands to neutral. If your hands go into your pockets, relax and remove them as you gesture.

Information provided by Michael Buschmohle, professional public speaker and President of Applause Associates.