I’m frequently asked how to stand while presenting.
I often reply, “Well, how do you stand normally?”
“I don’t know” is the most common response.
I’ve also heard:
“I didn’t realise I had hands before now! What on earth should I do with them?”
Here’s an insight into how to stand while presenting, how to make the most of the stage, and what to do when you suddenly realise that you have hands.
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or it’s your first time, your body language can make the difference between your audience buying into your message or checking out.
The problem
Throw a rat into a room with a tiger, and first, it will freeze to avoid detection.
It’s an instinctive response to a perceived threat.
As humans, we share the same biological traits.
If you threw us into a tiger cage, we’d freeze, then start sweating, our heart rate would intensify, and we’d try to get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
This freeze, fight or flight response often comes out when presenting.
That’s why, even if you’ve prepared fully for a talk, the words can still immediately leave you when you stand up and face the crowd.
And after that: the sweat, the heart rate and the running away (speaking quickly so you can get it over and done with, and sit down).
As presenters, we need to stop that cycle before it gets out of hand.
The solution
We call it Speaker’s Stance.
Step one: Clasp your hands together in front of your belly button.
Step two: Open your hands naturally as you speak.
Step three: After making your point, close your hands together silently.
That’s it.
Speaker’s Stance is the simplest way to convey authority, demonstrate openness and reduce nerves.
If you still feel the nervous energy flowing through your body, this can manifest itself in wringing fingers, a clear sign of nerves.
Or in making you clap or punch your own hands aggressively after making a point (hence closing your hands quietly).
Crucially, it gives your hands something constructive and natural to do, rather than them making their way into your pockets or behind your back.
Stander or walker?
Ok, you’re wondering how to stand when presenting.
So we need to talk about your feet.
This is very much situation-dependent and a personal choice.
You’re either a walker or a stander.
The stander confidently stays in one position, feet shoulder-width apart, moving only their upper body to generate enthusiasm.
The walker moves purposefully from point to point, using the space around them to help make their point.
They can move from point A to B to C, each time pausing to reflect on a different part of the story. Now they can reflect on the path they’ve trodden to help reflect on their story.
Walking and standing both work fine, and they’re dependent on the purpose, length and venue.
But avoid the cardinal sin: getting trapped between the two.
If you do, you’ll end up nervously rocking backwards and forwards, or from side to side, each time distracting the audience from your message.
If you’ve ever seen a presenter move as though they were on a ferry, you’ll know what I mean.
So pick a stance, and stick with it.
Questions and answers
This is where it gets really interesting.
Many presenters, when faced with a tough question, will take a step backwards.
Why?
We might say it’s a natural response to conflict: the beginnings of flight.
Conversely, I’ve seen some speakers in intimate settings take a step closer to the questioner.
Is that the alternative response to conflict: the beginnings of a fight?
Either way, you want to demonstrate poise and calmness to your audience.
So stay exactly where you are and extend the body language you used in your presentation.
If it’s appropriate, given the venue, a step towards the audience can show engagement, but be very careful with it in small venues.
How to stand while presenting
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Photos in How to stand while presenting by Pink Elephant Communications.
How to stand while presenting was written by Andrew McFarlan and edited by Maxine Montgomery.
