Non-Verbal and Verbal Cues

Nonverbal and verbal cues are an important component of a presentation. Use them to your advantage – not disadvantage!

It has been said that people respond …

• 55% to your body language and expression

• 37% to your vocal inflection

• 8% to what you say

These “facts” reveal a lot about the importance of what we do with our bodies during a presentation. Gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and vocalization all play important roles.

Gestures

Gestures to Avoid:

• Don’t grip the lectern/podium/table for dear life – that behavior suggests that you don’t have much confidence in what you’re doing.

• Don’t fiddle with rings, watches, earrings, necklaces.

• Don’t jingle keys/change in pockets, tap the pen on the podium, take the cap of a magic marker on and off or play with any other object within your grasp.

• Don’t keep your hands in one tense position all the time (e.g., hands folded prayerlike in front of the body, clasped behind the body, in the “figleaf” position, in the pockets at all times).

• And by all means, don’t touch/rub your hair, face, mouth or nose.

Gestures to Use:

• Make gestures that are broad and sweeping with the entire arm, not with the upper arm held close to the body.

• Make gestures above the waist and directed outward.

• Match your gestures to your facial expression (a puzzled face with palms up, shoulders shrugged).

• Gestures should be NATURAL, COMFORTABLE and appear to be SPONTANEOUS (notice this didn’t say “be” SPONTANEOUS. You can plan your gestures; you just don’t want them to look like you’ve planned them).

If you are uncomfortable with gestures and find yourself doing any of those to be avoided, practice holding your arms loosely by your sides, keeping space between your arms and body. You may feel awkward, like each hand weights 50 pounds, but you won’t look it. You’ll look natural.

The key to mastering your gestures is to observe what you currently do and then practice, practice, practice whatever you want to change.

Facial Expressions

Not much to be said here, other than – use them! Our faces are capable of over 200,000 expressions, so there’s no reason for a speaker to stand with a deadpan expression.

Smile OFTEN. Smiles project warmth and loosen up your facial muscles. You look better when you smile, and a smile makes your listeners more comfortable because you appear more natural and confident. A grim looking speaker doesn’t build much rapport.

Vocalization

Delivery rate, rhythm, pitch, inflection, volume, diction, articulation, pronunciation, breath control – these are all factors that make up your vocalizations. Each should be analyzed and corrected where warranted.

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