Public Speaking Tip: Is Your Body Telling a Different Story?

Body language plays an important role in your speech.  They help to drive home a point in a way that is more impactful than mere words can do.

However, while your body is very useful as a visual tool , it can be a double edged sword because if your body language contradicts what you are saying, then your message will be lost in translation.

This does not only apply for public speaking, but also in smaller scale interactions.  If you say something you don’t mean, there will be small telltale signs that give you away.  People who don’t know you that well may not be able to see it, but those who are observant or who have known you for a long time will pick it up.

In fact, the science of interpreting body language is so important that even people in Human Resource have been encouraged to learn something about it so that they can weed out the competent candidates from those not suitable for the job.

That’s why there is an assignment speech in the Competent Communicator Manual devoted to body language.  It is CC5, Your Body Speaks.

The speech objectives are:

• Use stance, movement gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.

• Make your body language smooth and natural.

Based on the above, it is easy to see where the key areas you need to pay attention to are.

Stance – are you relaxed or tensed? Being at ease will help you connect better with your audience. Also, use the stage as much as possible.

Movement gestures – are you hyper excited or totally still? Gestures are very useful in getting your point across however over gesturing is just too distracting. At the same time, standing still, being devoid of any movements makes you very boring.

Facial expressions – nothing gives you away faster than your facial expressions, unless you've mastered the poker face. It doesn’t matter if your speech is exciting and you talk about interesting things. If your face has no expressions, or worse still, look bored, then the impact is lost. If all else fails, SMILE.

Eye contact – you'd be surprised to know how many people find it extremely awkward to maintain eye contact, even in a one to one interaction. Eye contact is so important to make people feel that you see them and are paying attention to them. If you are addressing a room full of audience, look from one end of the room to the other. Obviously you can’t look at all everyone in the audience but dividing your attention to each corner of the room will help them feel like they are not left out.

And finally, make your body language smooth and natural.  We get it – with so many points to be aware of, it may feel like you have to put on an act.

Our advice is DON’T!

Go with your natural inclinations.  Practice in front of the mirror or with some close friends who can give you points of improvements. 

You may feel self-conscious about using your hands too much.  So tone it down but not to the point that you feel tied up during your speech.

You will not get it right the first time, but listen to your evaluators and incorporate their points for improvements and you will develop your personal style with time.

If you would like the opportunity to hone your public speaking skills as well as learn leadership skills, join us for our bi-monthly meetings on every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.  Our meetings start at 8pm.  For further information please contact us at gurneyhydrotoastmastersclub@gmail.com or refer to our Next Meeting page for information on our next meeting.