Unit 1 - Public Speaking
(B.com Semester 4)
Body Language in Public Speaking
Introduction
Body language is a very powerful tool.
We had body language before we had speech,
and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a
conversation is read through the body, not the words.
(Deborah Bull)
What you say will make less impact in comparison to how you will act. Your movement, gestures, and voice send out are important indirect messages. Body language shows your confidence. The right attitude on stage gives you an air of authority, which supports your story.
Body language is part of non-verbal communication. It is the combination of movements, gestures, and postures. This includes the way a speaker talks, moves and looks on stage. Body language is also a part of the message a speaker wants to give. An advanced speaker has skilled posture, gestures, facial expression and eye contact that are natural, well developed, and display a high level of poise and confidence.
"Your body language can make and break your presentation."
When we talk about communication, the only things that come to our minds are language, public speaking, and media. But in the broader sense something which is so significant - the term body language is missed out. Effective communication is not just what you say to people, it's more about how you convey it through your expressions and your gestures.
Non-verbal communication is an unspoken art of conveying the message to the audience. Face-to-face communication makes interactions between people reliable. Scientists and experts are still decoding various cues and hints in body language art as it's a complex form of expression.
What is Body Language?
Body language includes reflexive or non-reflexive movements of the part of body or whole body, such as facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures, etc., to communicate some message. In simpler words, whether intentional or not, body language is the nonverbal behaviour that we communicate to others. When it comes to using body language, you should be asking yourself: "How can I use movement and gestures to be effective in my presentation?" Here's an easy formula to remember - NODS:
You should begin in a neutral position with hands at your sides. That may feel awkward at first, but it looks fine to people who are watching you. It's something which helps to keep yourself open in front of your audience. Gesture sparingly, using defined or clean hand movements. That will help to make you strong. Follow the NODS formula, and your upper body movement will always support and amplify what you say.
Importance of Body Language
Body language plays a crucial role in public speaking. Good body language instantly builds a connection with your audience or peers. The importance of good body language can’t be underestimated. No matter how good your speech, if you are motionless, expressionless and dull, your audience will lose interest within minutes.
Albert Mehrabian wrote extensively on the relative importance of verbal and non-verbal messages and his findings have been quoted for years as the '7-38-55 Rule'.
Positive body language should be encouraged and taught to children as it helps to enhance confidence, improve self-esteem, and improve the art of non-verbal persuasion. Luckily, body language can be instilled in children early, as their subconscious minds are still developing and good habits are easier to form.
1) Maintain Sustained Eye-contact
Always Maintain even and subtle eye contact with everyone, it signifies the speaker's concern for listeners. This also shows your confidence level and sincerity. People often believe that those who try to hide something have trouble to looking you in the eye. Remember, eye contact must be deliberate and non-piercing to make an impact and build trust.
Moving from face to face, making eye contact while speaking ensures that the audience is engaged. While answering the questions from an audience, maintain strong eye contact to conveys sincerity and credibility.
- When talking to a large number of people, maintain eye contact with one person for 4 or more seconds before moving to another person. Should not exceed than 7 to 10 seconds.
- Make eye contact in a 'Z' formation - look at one person at the back left corner of the room, then the back right, then to the front left, and finally to someone at the front right. Be careful not to just repeat the Z formation with the same audience members each time you do it - you want to connect with as many members of the audience as possible.
- In one-on-one settings, maintain eye contact for 9-10 seconds and then break away to save yourself from staring. (The same applies when answering a question from an audience)
2) Meaningful Hand Gestures
Hand gestures are a great way to support any speech. Appropriate and non-distracting movement can add significant liveliness to your speech. Keep the audience’s attention by varying your gestures, incorporating your head, arms and hands.
A closed hand shows denial or aggression, and we don't want that. Keep your palms open and express yourself through your hand movements.
- Use symbolic gestures to communicate numbers and position, Ex. 2 fingers for the number 2 and A raised hand for stop
- Use descriptive gestures to communicate movement. Ex. Shapes, size, length, etc
- Use Emotional gestures to communicate feelings. Ex. Hands clasped together to show pleading, Hands raise either side of your head to show despair.
3) Open Body Posture
Keep your stature as open and straight as possible. If you have a slumped body posture, you may look unwelcoming, under confident and nervous. A closed body in itself is a distraction for the audience. Keep your face towards the audience, and make purposeful little movements instead of standing stiffly at one side.
Keep a good posture, stand straight with shoulders back, relaxed and feet shoulder width apart. Do not cross your arms, put your hands in your pocket or slouch. Face the audience as much as possible and keep your body open.
Example: If you intend to say yes, simultaneously nodding yes is a good sign of Communication
In 2011, US social psychologists Amy Cuddy, Dana Carney and Andy Yap proposed that holding a 'power pose' resulted in people actually feeling more powerful. Their theory suggests that an open pose can raise testosterone levels and lower your cortisol levels - ie. increase your dominance and lower your stress.
Amy Cuddy demonstrates a power pose — spreading your arms wide to appear more powerful. Image from TED.
4) Smile
Giving a genuine smile is the quickest way to win people's hearts. A kind expression demonstrates your confidence and cheerful personality. Also, people will perceive you to be more approachable. The same is not valid if you have a very deadly look on your face. So, don’t be afraid to brighten everyone’s day with your smile.
5) Maintain Correct Distance
When you stand too far from the person you are talking to, the person will perceive that you are uncomfortable. When you stand too close to them, you might make them uncomfortable. The same holds for the masses. The right thing to do is maintain healthy proximity without invading anybody's personal space.
- Don't pace around the stage every 30 seconds - this is distracting to your audience. Wait at least 3 minutes before moving to another area of the stage.
- Move towards the audience while making an important point or when Q&A session are going on
6) Greet When Necessary
Greetings are how we welcome and acknowledge someone's presence. Hand-shakes, a slight pat on the back, an informal hug, or standing up when someone authoritative enters is also a form of nonverbal communication. Let your handshake be swift and firm, not too tight or casual. Understand your audience and respond to them accordingly.
7) Breathing
Relaxed and deep breaths ensure that your voice holds power. Use slow and measured breathing to pace your speech, make pause to emphasise key points.
Controlling your breath is an important body language tip for public speaking. Maintaining relaxed breathing help to keep the mind clear and lends power to the voice. Slow breathing and tactical pauses in the speech will help in emphasising the right points.
- Before you present or speak in public, do some breathing exercises to warm up your voice and fill your lungs.
- Slowly inhale for 3 seconds, and exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat this as often as you need to, in order to feel calm.
- Always make sure you're standing up straight so that your lungs can expand fully
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