Friday, February 12, 2010
What's your trademarked hand gesture?
Sarah Palin writes notes on hers. Bill Clinton is famous for the modified fist with the softened thumbs up gesture. TV pundits vary their hand gestures for emphasis and interest.
What do you do with your hands during a presentation?
For the past year, I've seen an alarming trend in presentation hand-gestures -- especially by young men during technical presentations.
It's the lackluster "hands in pockets" gesture made popular by the slacker dufus in those "I'm a PC" commercials. He's the guy whose posture represents disinterest. He has nothing to do, so he stands with his hands in his pockets, listening to what the more entertaining fellow has to say.
"Hands in Pockets" might be appropriate during the "Q" part of "Q and A". It can signal, "I'm open to listening to you".
But it's not a polite posture to adopt while speaking.
Worse, I frequently see the "hands in pocket" presenter fidget on stage. The hands start to dig deeper into the pockets. Fiddling commences.
I like to imagine the presenter is toying with his keys or a thumb drive, but I'm not entirely sure what he's playing with down there. It makes me uncomfortable. I tend to lose focus on the presentation, worrying about what he might pull out of his pocket. Curiously, I seldom see women thrust their hands in their trousers while presenting. It seems to be a guy's gesture.
What do you do with your hands? During your next presentation -- watch what you do with your hands. Avoid inadvertently rude gestures. Vary the gestures throughout your speech.
And what's your "trademark" gesture -- the one gesture you can become famous for?
Sarah Palin writes notes on hers. Bill Clinton is famous for the modified fist with the softened thumbs up gesture. TV pundits vary their hand gestures for emphasis and interest.
What do you do with your hands during a presentation?For the past year, I've seen an alarming trend in presentation hand-gestures -- especially by young men during technical presentations.
It's the lackluster "hands in pockets" gesture made popular by the slacker dufus in those "I'm a PC" commercials. He's the guy whose posture represents disinterest. He has nothing to do, so he stands with his hands in his pockets, listening to what the more entertaining fellow has to say.
"Hands in Pockets" might be appropriate during the "Q" part of "Q and A". It can signal, "I'm open to listening to you".
But it's not a polite posture to adopt while speaking.
Worse, I frequently see the "hands in pocket" presenter fidget on stage. The hands start to dig deeper into the pockets. Fiddling commences.
I like to imagine the presenter is toying with his keys or a thumb drive, but I'm not entirely sure what he's playing with down there. It makes me uncomfortable. I tend to lose focus on the presentation, worrying about what he might pull out of his pocket. Curiously, I seldom see women thrust their hands in their trousers while presenting. It seems to be a guy's gesture.
What do you do with your hands? During your next presentation -- watch what you do with your hands. Avoid inadvertently rude gestures. Vary the gestures throughout your speech.
And what's your "trademark" gesture -- the one gesture you can become famous for?
- The Eva Peron?
- The Scott Stapp Rock Star Jesus?
- The Madonna Vogue?
- The Steve Jobs Prayer or Palms Up Buddha Pose?
- A Power Pointer like Avril Lavigne?
- A Heavy Metal Rock Fan?
- Or something peaceful yet anti-establishment?
Labels: Presentation
¶ 2/12/2010 03:18:00 PM
Comments:
Links to this post:
<< Home
Great post, Laura. The dreaded "hands in pockets," in my experience, is something men do more than women. The cure? Knowing that when you immobilize your hands, you're more likely to stumble in your speech (ums, uhs and such). That usually does the trick in convincing people to use their hands more purposefully while presenting!
I'm with you.
Hands are powerful communicators. Use them, don't hide them!
(I tend to get a little Eva Peron when I present. I use really wide arm gestures, like a condor about ready to take flight.)
Hands are powerful communicators. Use them, don't hide them!
(I tend to get a little Eva Peron when I present. I use really wide arm gestures, like a condor about ready to take flight.)
Hm, I guess that hands in pockets is supposed to make speaker look self-confident. But yes I agree it is a bit rude. I like your gesture examples in pics :D
Nice post Laura.
The Clinton gesture is actually a modified gesture. If you watch him giving speeches earlier in his career he used this gesture with an extended index finger. I guess after feedback that people generally don't like being pointed at, he adapted.
I have decided - after coaching many people through improving their presentation skills - that gestures are an overrated skill. Yes, gestures are important but there are so many more key skills to put in place before gestures really make impact. In my opinion, gestures are the last 5% of speech preparation after you have a clear message, good structure, engaging stories, smooth transition etc.
I recommend limiting gestures to an open and stable posture with an occasion hand gesture UNTIL the rehearsals are at a stage where the presenter can deliver the content without notes in a smooth, natural and engaging manner. If the presenter uses a lot of distracting gestures (waving hands, picking clothing, shaking about on the stage) I will work on that early on.
It may go against what is taught in presentation skills training but I have found that gestures only give bang for the buck when you have laid down 95% of your preparation foundation.
All the best,
Warwick
The One Minute Presenter
Post a Comment
The Clinton gesture is actually a modified gesture. If you watch him giving speeches earlier in his career he used this gesture with an extended index finger. I guess after feedback that people generally don't like being pointed at, he adapted.
I have decided - after coaching many people through improving their presentation skills - that gestures are an overrated skill. Yes, gestures are important but there are so many more key skills to put in place before gestures really make impact. In my opinion, gestures are the last 5% of speech preparation after you have a clear message, good structure, engaging stories, smooth transition etc.
I recommend limiting gestures to an open and stable posture with an occasion hand gesture UNTIL the rehearsals are at a stage where the presenter can deliver the content without notes in a smooth, natural and engaging manner. If the presenter uses a lot of distracting gestures (waving hands, picking clothing, shaking about on the stage) I will work on that early on.
It may go against what is taught in presentation skills training but I have found that gestures only give bang for the buck when you have laid down 95% of your preparation foundation.
All the best,
Warwick
The One Minute Presenter
Links to this post:
<< Home
