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.

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!