Public Speaking Information

Speaking Body Language


I observed an almost surreal event when I was a business student.

At the front of the classroom, an entrepreneur was practicing a pitch he would make later to venture capital firms. Specifically, he was talking about a technology his firm had developed, a respirator which had the potential to save the lives of many infants.

When he talked about the potentially great financial returns, the audience, made up of business students, sat back passively. But when he talked about getting babies through critical moments with his respirators, every single person in the classroom sat up, alert and fully focused.

As he went back and forth between stories of saving babies and talking about financial results, almost every student in the classroom moved with him. And what's more, it seemed the students' unconscious body movements had been carefully choreographed.

We sat up together when the entrepreneur talked about saving babies, and we sat back in unison when he discussed the numbers. And, by the way, I did it too until I become aware of how we were responding as a group.

Since that event I've been a firm believer in body language, which is the idea that people unconsciously show what they're feeling or thinking through gestures or body movements.

As you know, the art of interpreting body language is hardly a science. But, we do know a few basics that can help us read the emotions of others. A few examples follow.

Crossed arms, as almost every salesperson knows, means the person on the other side of the table is defensive or not receptive. On the other hand, if that person leans forward and keeps his or her eyes on you, then you do have a receptive listener.

If you watch novice speakers, you'll probably notice how they keep their arms close to their bodies, indicating a lack of confidence. As they get more practice speaking in public, you'll see their arms move away from their sides and become active tools for conveying messages.

Arms wide open indicate trust and openness, as do open hands, while arms held high above the head show a sense of victory, and clenched hands indicate anger.

Curiously, one of the most difficult interpretations of body language involves lying. Researchers have probably spent more time on this aspect of body language than any other. And their conclusions? The only surefire way to know if another person is lying is to observe very small and fast wrinklings of the brow.

If you haven't yet spent much time studying body language, I recommend that you add it to your to-do list for communication development. It's invaluable not only for speaking and listening, but also for negotiating and leading.

About The Author

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. If you subscribe, you will receive, at no charge, communication tips that help you lead or manage more effectively. Click here for more information: http://www.CommunicationNewsletter.com

abbottr@managersguide.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Toastmasters: Here to help you quash your fear of public speaking
Moody County Enterprise, SD - Nov 18, 2008
BY RYAN WOODARD Jerry Doyle has started a local chapter of the public speaking club Toastmasters International, which has members all over the world. ...


Public Speaking Is Not Worse Than Death
dBusinessNews Triangle (press release), NC - Nov 19, 2008
DURHAM, NC November 20, 2008 — Many people fear public speaking, yet it can be an extremely effective method for marketing your business’s services. ...


CNET News

Google attempts to save marriages around the world
CNET News, CA - 1 hour ago
Naturally the company has offered the usual public speaking about concentrating on other businesses and accepting that not every bet will work out. ...


Program to focus on public speaking
The Reporter, WI - Nov 14, 2008
RIPON — Jody Roy, professor and chair of the communication department at Ripon College, will present a program on public speaking and perfecting ...


Clubs and organizations
Beaverton Valley Times, OR - Nov 20, 2008
For fun and to fight your fear of public speaking. www.timbertalkers.com. Tualatin Valley Unit of Parliamentarians — 7 pm, fourth Tuesday of the month, ...


Public speaking course essential for repertoire
Kaleidoscope Online, AL - Nov 10, 2008
Cecil Betros, professor of communication studies at UAB, believes it is important for students to take part in a public speaking course. ...


Biz Buzz
Alameda Sun, CA - 10 hours ago
Otaez Mexican Restaurant, 1619 Webster St. (Info: Jennifer Allaire, 864-2464) * Noon to 1 pm Marina Village Toastmasters: Work on public speaking and ...


Rockland teens expound, orate, speak, dissect and dramatize during ...
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY - Nov 12, 2008
And after the 24th annual Rockland County Forensic League public speaking tournament was over, 16 teen orators were handed plaques and congratulated on ...


Teaching public speaking to sixth-graders
Sonoma Valley Sun, CA - Nov 7, 2008
... they didn’t actually meet until kindergarten), sparkles with many talents, including teaching, authoring books, public speaking and lots of other stuff. ...


AsianWeek

Overcome the Top Fear in America: Reduce Public Speaking Nervousness
AsianWeek, CA - Nov 3, 2008
Mark Twain Public speaking is the number one fear in America, according to the Wall Street Journal; death is number two. But fear of public speaking is also ...

Public-Speaking - Google News

home | site map
© 2006