I’m often asked as a speaker: “What’s better when presenting? Standing or walking?”
Ultimately, both are great – so long as we follow some simple rules for them.
It’s great that people consider their body language when presenting.
It can be distracting if we let our nerves take control.
This can lead to swaying from side to side, repetitive arm movements, or nervous eye contact.
All of which distracts and detracts from your presentation.
Instead, we can use it to support our message, create energy, and get what you want from the talk.
Standing still
I remember working with a presenter who was obsessed with the idea of walking.
They’d see another speaker who strolled around a stage so confidently, pausing to make important points and keep the audience’s attention.
Whilst that’s impressive, the presenter I was working with was equally impressive standing still.
Their stable stance projected confidence, authority, and composure.
By doing so, our feet and stage/floor position become less distracting to our audience.
They can focus more on our eye contact, hand movements, and even slides if we’re using them.
This can be particularly important when delivering key messages, addressing a more formal audience, or delivering bad news.
The key to this is imagining from the waist down, your legs are stuck in concrete.
This is designed to stop knees wobbling and hips swaying.
Benefits of walking
If you decide to move on stage, it is often a great way to build energy and keep your audience’s attention.
Beyond simply keeping your audience engaged, it can support your story telling.
For example, if you’re telling a story about how you arrived at where you are now, you can walk between different points in the timeline.
Start at the beginning (this seems obvious).
Walk slowly and purposefully towards the middle. Pause here to tell the next part of the story.
Continue to do this and create a physical timeline.
This even allows you to go back to a certain part of the stag to re-discuss that section.
This can also be done for switching topics, connecting with a particular section of the audience, or even just a shift in tone.
Beware the distraction
This is all done with the primary goal of avoiding distracting body language.
The secondary goal is to think how we can use this to aid our presentation.
There may be times where space, lecterns, or microphones force you to become a stander. The rules still apply.
Often, it’s wise to find the right balance. Move with purpose, then stop and deliver the message.
Ultimately, whatever works best for you is fine, assuming you follow these simple rules.
The key part in all of this is to practise this as part of your preparation.
If you’re going to be delivering the presentation standing up on the day, why practise while sitting down?
It takes time to rehearse confident, natural, and purposeful body language.
This is one of a number of techniques we talk you through in our workshops. Be sure to book today to hear more.
Presentation skills training: Walking vs standing
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Photos in Presentation skills training: Walking vs standing by Pink Elephant Communications.
Presentation skills training: Walking vs standing was written by Stuart Fenwick and edited by Maxine Montgomery.
