I have emphasized more than once in this column that when it comes to the trustworthiness of your presentation, body language trumps factual content every time. People don’t just listen to what you are saying, they also look at and study who is saying it. With so many presenters, their words say one thing while their body says something completely different. So, as you are getting ready for your next presentation, one important question you should be asking is: “What language is my body speaking?”
There are a couple of things you can do to make certain your body language sends a strong, confident, and trustworthy message while you are speaking. I know it is almost a clich?these days, but Americans still regularly report that one of their biggest fears is the fear of public speaking. Without a doubt, standing up in front of a group can be stressful even for seasoned, professional speakers. A natural anxiety persists concerning how your message will be received, how YOU will be received, whether or not you will be successful, and whether or not people will like you. All of these factors contribute to a reaction sometimes referred to as the “fight-or-flight” response: once your body begins to experience stress, physiological defense mechanisms spring into action elevating heart rate, increasing metabolism, tensing muscle groups, and temporarily altering many normal bodily functions. All of these factors have an impact on how you feel and how you look. Some people perspire profusely while others develop distracting nervous habits. For this reason, some public speakers find it helpful to practice what I call “the Litany”. This is a relaxation technique that helps you to refocus and slow down your “fight-or-flight” response by taking a silent inventory of what is going on with your body. You can use this technique while seated before being introduced, while walking up to the podium, or even before arriving to deliver your presentation.
Here is how it works:
Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Continue breathing slowly and deeply, and begin to focus your awareness, in turn, upon each major part of your body, beginning with your head. Mentally describe to yourself the sensations you are experiencing.
It might go something like this:
? My head is pounding.
? My eyes are twitching.
? My throat is dry.
? My neck is tense.
? My shoulders are aching.
? My heart is beating really fast!
? My stomach is feeling a little queasy.
? My palms are wet.
? My knees are weak.
? My feet hurt already.
Yes, it may seem a bit odd at first especially since sometimes you seem to be focusing on negative sensations. But the point is: you are FOCUSING! Psychotherapists sometimes call this “becoming grounded.” By connecting with small points of physical reality, you are switching off the “fight-or-flight” response that is trying to hijack your metabolism because you are momentarily diverting your attention to other thoughts and sensations. Doing this will help you feel and look much more relaxed during your presentation.
Another little trick I use is called the “Executive Stroll”. Your presentation technically begins at the moment you are introduced because from that moment on, all eyes are on you. For this reason, you must begin to “get into character,” as they say in the acting business, even as you are making your way to the podium.
Here is how it works:
? Stand up and push your chair in.
? Make any clothing adjustments as you are standing behind your chair before you walk to the front of the room.
? Begin walking toward the front.
Walk at a measured pace.
Keep your head up and your shoulders back.
Have a pleasant smile on your face.
? Do not talk while you are walking, or stop along the way to greet anyone.
When you reach the front of the room, turn and face your audience: square your shoulders and set your feet in a firm, stable stance; smile and pause to create just a touch of drama before beginning. You feel ready, you look ready, and you are ready. Take a deep breath and let the presentation begin!
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June Presentation Quick Tip of the Month – K.I.S.S Still Makes Good Sense
The K.I.S.S Principle – Keep It Short and Simple – is one of the most over-stated clich? in the business. Everyone knows what it means. More people ought to follow its advice. When is the last time you walked out of a meeting hearing people complaining that a presentation was too short? Well, there you are. People who are intrigued by your information can always stick around and ask you more questions or take you out for coffee. Don’t run the risk of turning everyone – including key decision makers – off by droning on too long. A wise speaker once declared that his presentation strategy consisted of three points: Be Clear, Be Brief, Be Seated. You will rarely go wrong following that plan.
