The Objects of a Speaker's Improvement
When I first started out as a speaker, I had the most spastic gestures. A typical New Yorker, I had a gesture for every syllable that I uttered. When I wasn't gesturing, I held my hand in prairie dog position. Cute for a rodent but not so effective for a speaker.
During one coaching session, my debate teacher took two heavy geometry books off the shelf and said “I want you to do your entire speech holding these.”
Was he insane? How was I going to do a speech with books in my hands? Not to mention that I was going to look completely foolish.
I begrudgingly took the books and did my speech. It felt awkward. I'd try to gesture, but my hands felt more comfortable at my side. When I finished the presentation, he asked me to do the speech again without the books.
An amazing thing happened, my gestures were more natural and toned down. When I wasn't gesturing I held my hands at my side instead of like a prairie dog!
Ever since that experience when a client needs to work on an unconscious aspect of delivery, I typically use objects to help him/her become more aware of their delivery.
Table of Contents
Delivery Issue: The Tennis Match
We have all seen this speaker – he runs back and forth across the stage with no purpose. As an audience member, it's like watching a tennis match with resulting tennis neck!
Solution: Books (again)
I set up a perimeter of books and make the speaker do his presentation from inside that perimeter. When he tries to ping-pong out of it, the books remind him to stay still. Once he is aware of how much, he moves then we can work on blocking or moving with purpose during the presentation.
Delivery Issue: Exposing the Jugular
A female client of mine noticed that when she speaks, she tilts her head to one side. This type of body language indicates submissiveness or seeking approval. In the animal kingdom exposing the jugular indicates weakness. Neither of these are becoming for a speaker.
Solution: Neck Pillow
Those handy dandy travel pillows will make her aware of her head movement. I suggested to practice her speech wearing the neck pillow and become aware of when she cocks her head to one side.
The bottom line: For many of the delivery issues we have as speakers, the key to overcoming it is awareness. Once we are aware of the frequency in which we do something, we can work on correcting it. Using objects, video taping, and finding a public speaking coach will help sharpen our delivery.
Fine tuning delivery skills allows the audience not to be distracted by a speaker's delivery of a presentation. Instead the audience can focus on the message and the speaker can build a deeper connection and relationship with audience members.
What has helped you improve your own delivery? What habit public speaking habit would you like to overcome? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!
I like the tips, Michelle. Keep them coming. You are right about “awareness.” If not for Toastmaster evaluations, I would not have been aware that I use parallel gestures with both hands when speaking. Every once in awhile, I’ll catch myself doing it again and realize I need to drop one of my hands.
Toastmasters is great for getting that kind of feedback. I was reminded about the Prairie Dog position quite recently in an evaluation session. Old gesture habits die hard.
I used to be the tennis match! I would pace back and forth with nervousness. Until I saw a video of me doing this, I had no idea!
Awareness was definitely the key for me.
You always have so much energy Jackie that I am not surprised that you ran the stage! Clearly, you tamed this delivery demon! Pacing is a great way for us to release our nervous energy but not so great for the audience.
These are fabulous ideas – I’ll have to try holding the books! I can definitely fall into over-gesturing, but my main issue is speaking too quickly. A family legacy, I’m afraid – I speak like my grandma. We are small, buzzy womenfolk and others have a hard time keeping up! On the stage, though, that’s not such a good thing.
Jennifer, I am a member of the fast talker society as well. I always have to remind myself to slow down. I really speed up if I feel pressed for time or if I am a bit under rehearsed.
Couldn’t agree more on the need for awareness.
In contrast to the prairie dog problem, I’ve seen speakers that lack any gestures or repeat the same two or three over and over again. It’s interesting to me that a number of experience performers often need to be told to slow down and stay still while new speakers need to be told to speak with energy and movement.
I use masking tape rolls balanced on the head to keep from bobbing. I make students gather objects from the audience to make statues move. And I shout, “No I don’t!” if someone says a useless, “You know?”
I agree with your premise that without awareness we cannot correct our habits. Good stuff.
Hi Alan! Thanks for your comment! Masking tape rolls – wow that is hardcore but a great idea. I love the “you know” thing, you know? 🙂 Awareness is key to improving our speaking. If we don’t know, we can’t fix it!