How to Control Your Body Language During a Speech

An effective speech fully engages listeners using appropriate body language in a way that is conducive to positive receipt of the message conveyed. When well written material is added to this affect, the result is a more fully engaged audience that can more readily identify with key points made and its primary objectives.

Convey Confidence with Restraint
Demonstrating fluidity and flow while delivering a speech tells the audience that the message to come is legit. It imparts an air of confidence about the subject matter onto listeners that further suggests credibility by the speaker and invokes trust. Speaking in even tones with just enough variation in body movement to illustrate certain points won’t distract the audience from what is being said and engages them in the subject matter in a more receptive and positive way.

Counter Restless Energy and Nervousness
Delivering a speech is nerve wracking and can be particularly uncomfortable for the inexperienced, inherently shy or introverted type of personality. Fidgety, twitchy, nervous behavior is nature’s way of releasing pent up energy that accumulates while standing in a fixed position for a long period of time. Unfortunately, an audience tends to read this as a lack of confidence and even dishonesty. And if the purpose of the speech is to persuade, its success rate is directly linked less to words and more to body language. Changing stance and shifting weight from one leg to the other is an effective way to release some of this pent up energy. As would be pacing with slow deliberation as one engages the crowd.

Thanks for the Feedback
Sometimes the best way to change and improve body expressions while delivering a speech or presentation is to get feedback. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by joining a presentation group such as Toastmasters International. Here, the opportunity to develop proper technique and body gestures for any type of speaking engagement is accomplished in a group setting through an evaluative process and practice with feedback from fellow group members. This is a great way to be on both sides of a presentation or speech to better gauge how it’s being received to recognize areas needing improvement.

Much goes into the preparation and deliverance of a successful speech. And the words, no matter how well written, may not have the impact desired if the recipient it’s intended for is put off by distracting gestures, rigidity or other types of nervous behavior. Controlling body language is crucial for a well delivered speech that is credible, effective and well received.