My brother, who is a classically trained actor, watches my videos and lovingly teases me: “Stop it with the flying arms already.”
He has a point. But the bigger question is this: what are appropriate gestures for a presentation today? And what are appropriate gestures for you as a speaker? And how do you go from a gestureless talking head to a full-gestured, arm-flying crazy person.
Let’s see what we can figure out.
Item 1. Back in my youth most of the speakers we ever saw where men in suits like Walter Cronkite. If they gestured on camera it was very little and controlled.
I think it is safe to say that today things are different. We want speakers who are engaged, active, lively and, most important, show passion about their topic. I think that reasonably requires some vocal dynamics and body and hand movement.
I know there will be people who disagree, but you are wrong. Actually, you do have a case to make, but how else will you display your energy and commitment? By shear eloquence? I am not that good, and I think audiences today want some additional avenue of connection.
Item 2. What are appropriate gestures for you, your subject matter and your audiences?
This is much more fluid. I can only tell you what I have found works for me. For years, since TED was a boy, I watched countless presentations online and in person. I studied their structure, their tone, their presenters and all the nuanced components. And I guess I just picked up ideas for body movement and gestures through osmosis.
And I experimented.
I remember I had committed to a very critical business presentation before a small influential audience. I rehearsed endlessly and as part of that I intentionally added specific gestures to parts of my story. Those movements became embedded and then spread to my general presentations.
Item 3. So, my take-away here is this: If you want more natural and frequent gestures then practice. Real practice. Imagine an audience. Stand. Practice movements and gestures. Video. Watch, edit and repeat. Start small with just a section of your presentation, perhaps your opening or a story. Push your comfort zone just a little. (go ahead — it is very liberating!)
I am sure these movements will feel uncomfortable at first, but they will evolve. Then you will see yourself using them in everyday conversations.
And when you will get a mocking email from your brother, you know you have arrived.
Gesture coaching? We don’t need no stinking gesture coaching. But you might…
