<p>“Change the way you hold your head and you change your image.”<br /> Dr. Phyllis Mindell</p><p>Many of us small-business owners have found that seminars and presentations work as a great marketing tool. Yet we may be sabotaging ourselves without realizing it! I’d like to share three body positions that can sabotage even the best-designed messages.</p> <p><i>Cocked Head</i><br /> Rarely addressed in the literature, the cocked or tilted head gives a “is this acceptable?” subtext to anything the presenter says. A cocked head denotes submission-not something you want to portray as a speaker.</p> <p>Suggestion: Hold your head as if a cord from the ceiling suspends it. Feel the length and the verticality of your neck. Look at the audience “straight-on”. Make sure your weight is equally distributed on both feet, and that you’re not holding <i>any </i>part of your body at an angle.</p> <p><i>“Figleaf”</i><br /> Much more familiar to many, “figleaf” refers to a hand position held for a length of time in front of the body. Traditionally, the term “figleaf” was used only to describe both hands held (folded, clasped) directly in front of the groin. However, it’s best to think of “figleaf” as referring to any hand position held before the body. This includes a range of positions, from a splayed hand over the diaphragm, to casual hands held in front of the stomach, to arms folded across the chest.</p> <p>Any permutation of “Figleaf” portrays a closed-in speaker. Audiences most often interpret this posture as being defensive: a subconscious display of the speaker’s fear and self-protection. (And, guess what? They are often quite right.)</p><p>The opposite of "figleaf," often called "parade rest," is equally as closed-looking. A speaker models "parade rest" by clasping his or her hands behind the back. This position robs the speaker of arm movement, gestures, and emphasis, dulling the message's impact.</p> <p>Suggestion: Practice displaying the entire front of your body to the audience. If you hold notes, use only one hand, and do not allow that hand to stray in front of your body. Do not stand behind any object. By allowing the audience to see your body from head to foot, you are non-verbally saying, “I am confident. I’m not hiding anything.” This posture helps to ensure a connection of trust and openness between you and the audience.</p> <p><i>Flamingo</i><br /> A position that is often seen, but rarely discussed, may be called the flamingo position. This involves bending one knee back and balancing that foot on its ball, while the other foot remains flat. This causes a hip to jut out and puts the primary weight on one leg. Women most often take this pose, though I’ve seen men do it, too. If you want to look like a cheerleader or an aspiring model, use the flamingo pose. Enough said?</p> <p>Suggestion: Keep both feet flat on the ground, about 12 inches apart, facing directly forward. If desired, bend the knees a tiny bit for a sense of elasticity and fluidness.</p> <p>Remember: To be an effective speaker, you must invest time and energy into the design of your message. Then deliver it with directness and authenticity. By avoiding the three positions we’ve talked about here, your presentation will soar!</p>
2008-06-18T21:45:41Z
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they-are-hearing-your-body-talk
5
2008-06-23T15:22:12Z
2008-06-23T15:22:12Z
<p>Three presentation positions to avoid like the plague. </p>
They ARE Hearing Your Body Talk!
0
2009-02-24T09:44:48Z