What to do with your hands when presenting.
A common question we get on our presentation skills training is ‘what do I do with my hands?’ The point about all body language questions is that we want this non verbal communication to support what we are saying.
Firstly we don’t want them to send out any message contrary, or distracting, or negative. So folded arms, hands clasped behind our back and hands clasped in front with arms straight down, will all potentially do this. We also have to watch out for waving our arms around so much it detracts from the message, and can communicate nervousness. So what to do with them?
Try arms bent at the elbow with hands together in front of you. The hands can be clasped in a variety of ways. What tends to happen is as we get more comfortable with our talk our hands start to move automatically from this point of rest.
At first this position might fell awkward, but this is to be expected with any new behaviour. Stick with it and eventually it will feel natural and you will look natural and comfortable. Your arms and hands will move naturally and automatically support visually what you are saying verbally. Try observing other speakers at a conference, or on TV and observe how this technique works.
What to do with your hands when presenting