Powerful Presentation Positions

 

In many ways, we are only beginning to understand all of the ways in which mind affects body, and body affects mind. Modern research has found that our body language and posture exercise a powerful influence on our own mental state, as well as communicating a great deal to others.
When making a presentation, most speakers are concerned about handling nervousness and stress, avoiding mistakes, and appearing confident in front of their listeners. Fortunately, there is a technique that can be used to address all of these problems at once: the Power Position.

How Does It Help?
The way you move and the way you carry yourself can have a surprisingly powerful influence over the way you feel, and of course the way other perceive you. If you want to look and feel impressive, authoritative, and in control during your next presentation, your best practice is to adopt the Power Position.

Research demonstrates that people using a strong, powerful body stance like the Power Position described below experience a decrease in stress levels, a heightened sense of confidence and enthusiasm, a greater willingness to take risks, and improved performance under strain. Adopt the pose before and during your presentation to fell, look, and act with greater authority and power.

What Is The Power Position?
Throughout the animal kingdom, you can see examples of dominant, powerful body posture and submissive, fearful poses. Creatures who are frightened and powerless curl up, close in, and become smaller. Creatures demonstrating their power, on the other hand, open up, spread out, and take up more space.

The Power Position is based on the same principle. A person who stands tall and firm, makes expansive gestures and moves with confidence will attract attention, command respect, and inspire trust. As if that wasn’t enough, the Power Position also improves your appearance and the fit of your clothing, opens air passages, and expands the chest, allowing for better projection and vocal delivery.

To adopt a Power Position when standing:

1. Stand erect and balanced, with your weight mostly on the balls of your feet. Keep your shoulders back and your feet apart at least shoulder-width, or hip-width for women. (Note: DO NOT lock your knees.)
2. Avoid movements that convey uncertainty and lack of control. Stand straight; do not shift your weight from foot to foot, rock, or twist.
3. When you change your location, do so deliberately. Turn your entire body, move slowly, and return to your original position after making your point. Avoid turning your back to the audience or walking away from them.
4. Stand in the center of the stage or presentation area; it’s the most accessible and visually pleasing location from the audience’s point of view.
5. Keep your arms down at your sides when not using them to gesture. Avoid fidgeting, clasping your hands, or putting them behind your back or in your pockets.
6. Do not hide behind the lectern. It severs the connection between you and your audience.
7. Both before and after the presentation, maintain the Power Position. Walk deliberately and confidently, smile, and keep your posture erect.

Seated Power Position

You may find yourself in a situation such as a small meeting, or a one-to-one or one-to-two lunch or sales call, in which you will remain seated while presenting.

To effectively give a seated presentation to a small meeting, use the seated version of the Power Position:

1. Keep both feet on the floor and do not twist or rock.
2. Lean forward with hand visible on the table.
3. Maintain a pleasant expression and eye contact.
4. Gestures should be deliberate and much smaller than when addressing a large room.

The Appearance of Power
If you project confidence and power with your body language, you will actually feel more confident and powerful. The audience, likewise, will perceive your power and confidence, and listen to you with greater attention. Start using the Power Position today to see an immediate improvement in your presentation performance.

Baker Communications offers leading edge presentation and public speaking training solutions that will help you address the goals and achieve the outcomes addressed in this article. For more information about how your organization can achieve immediate and lasting behavior change that will help your team members or executives quickly connect with their audience, build credibility, and persuade listeners to take action click here.

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