| I have difficulty controlling my body movements (D5, F9).
I have difficulty not to speak too quietly/I speak in a monotone voice (D5, F9).
I have difficulty not to wiggle about (D5, F9).
It is often difficult to keep your posture under control during presentations. Your body language is part and parcel of an effective presentation.
You should be aware of how your audience will interpret body language (Skill Sheet D5/F9). For each part of the body, several tricks are available to help you control your body language and deliver a powerful presentation. Here, we discuss some of the most frequently occurring problems. See Skill Sheet F9 for more tricks.
Head, downward look
- Makes you look shy, insecure and can cause shortage of breath
- Tricks: 1) choose a clear eye position; and/or 2) arrange for someone in the audience to give you a signal .
Voice: monotonous, slow and low
- Can cause loosing the interest of your audience
- Tricks: 1) present with an open body (no arms in front of your body; make slow movements with your arms to support an argument); 2) put a signal on a cue card (note: talk louder!); or 3) practice your presentation singing in the bathroom (you are forced to talk in another way).
Upper body: closed (arms crossed and shoulders tight)
- Can make you look insecure, lacking discussing power or having a dull charisma
- Tricks: 1) practice in front of a mirror; 2) get a signal from the audience; or o put a signal on a cue card.
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