The real message. Show what you want to say with your speech melody and your body.
1) Clothing
The first impression goes the longest way. Make sure you look well-groomed. Invest in good quality - which does not mean you have to wear Armani suits, but rather don't wear the cheapest stuff you can find - and maintain your own style. Make conscious use of the effect of color on your audience.
Sharp contrasts exude authority: black and white is the strongest (the classic suit). If you want your audience to be more active, wear less contrasts and more pastels.
Light blue looks objective, dark blue accessible, red tones emotional and light green calming.
Fancy colors attract attention, but often appear restless.
2) Walking
Come to rest and collect yourself. Combine this state with the Capewalk and take expansive steps.
What is the Capewalk?
You can see it on the street: Small, cautious steps seem unsafe. We perceive very long and rapid steps to be hectic. You don't want to show either.
Your body is upright, your look directed horizontally towards your target.
Superman's coat on your shoulders is blowing behind you.
3) Standing
Rest in itself. Stand firm and upright, feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent and weight balanced. Change your posture from time to time.
Minimal pendulum movement to the left and right gives you stability.
It's okay to put a hand in your pocket, too. You demonstrate naturalness with it. But don't stay too long in this position, too much casualness can appear arrogant.
4) Sitting
When you take a seat. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor - not crossed.
In a one-on-one conversation, take a seat at an angle to the person you are speaking to - sitting across from one another creates confrontation.
If possible, use an armchair without armrests so that your arms are free for sweeping gestures.
5) Facial Expressions
The face is the mirror of your soul. So pay attention to what you think. Because your thoughts arise from your character. And all of this can be seen by your audience on your face.
Smile and nod - both of which reinforce a positive mood.
But watch out for your smile. The audience doesn't want that rigid, artificial smile that comes out of the brain, but that warm, sympathetic smile straight from your heart.
Change your facial expressions according to the changing emotional states, but do not make faces.
6) Gesture
Hug the world.
Anticipate content with your gestures before expressing it in words. Show first, then say.
Show your palms occasionally, this will relax the audience.
Avoid holding pens or other objects in your hands. This distracts and forces you to bend down regularly because something falls down.
Create your own gestures that underline the essential vocabulary of your presentation.
Small movements from the wrist, medium movements from the elbow and large movements from the shoulder. The bigger your audience, the bigger your moves. With four listeners, use small movements and only from ten or more, expansive gestures.
7) Your Voice
The voice is your ringing calling card.
Underline your personality through your voice and use the necessary accents in your presentation.
Variation is convincing! Use the full bandwidth of your communication channel. Try out the full range and create a repertoire of moods for your voice.
Allow breaks. Let your audience think about it too. Consciously take breaks between your sentences. The breaks you make are shorter than you think.
A constant loud voice appears excited, as if you lack control over yourself.
A voice that is too quiet appears insecure and shy.
Speaking in a voice that is too high will make you seem tense and angry.
If you speak too deeply, you appear fatherly and complacent.
8) Place Of Power
The right distance.
Use closeness and distance to influence the quality of contact with an audience.
Rule of thumb: as close as possible but far enough to be able to have constant eye contact with everyone.
Start your lecture at a greater distance and approach as contact increases.
You should be visible to your audience without any obstacles - don't hide behind a lectern or table.
If you expect a very conflictual conversation, establish a position in the room where objections or criticism are received and dealt with. Then this mood remains linked to this position. As soon as you leave this position, the atmosphere is free again.
I hope I was able to give you some helpful tips for your next presentation or discussion.
Do you also have tips and tricks that help you to exude a strong personality, please share it with us in the comments.
Images from Pexels
Excelent
Excelent
Hi wirago,
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Interesting information! I'd have to study it for a long time if I wanted to remember it all.
Powerful Tips!