Resources for Training, Presenting, and Facilitating

3 Presentation Positions to Avoid Like the Plague

“Change the way you hold your head and you change your image.”
Dr. Phyllis Mindell

Here’s a bias right out front. As a result of 16 years spent helping professionals to improve their speaking skills, I have discovered that a presentation’s overall effectiveness usually has more to do with design than delivery. (Stay tuned for a future article on this topic.) A well-designed presentation can improve the speaker’s physical presence more than any number of classes on “Body Language.”

Having exposed my bias, I will admit that how you deliver your material does, in fact, count. In fact, your delivery is the most visible part of your presentation. I’d like to share with you three positions that can sabotage even the best-designed messages.

Cocked Head
Rarely addressed in the literature, the cocked or tilted head gives a “is this acceptable?” subtext to anything the presenter says. A cocked head denotes submission-not something you want to portray as a speaker.

Suggestion: Hold your head as if a cord from the ceiling suspends it. Feel the length and the verticality of your neck. Look at the audience “straight-on”. Make sure your weight is equally distributed on both feet, and that you’re not holding any part of your body at an angle.

“Figleaf”
Much more familiar to many, “figleaf” refers to a hand position held for a length of time in front of the body. Traditionally, the term “figleaf” was used only to describe both hands held (folded, clasped) directly in front of the groin. However, it’s best to think of “figleaf” as referring to any hand position held before the body. This includes a range of positions, from a splayed hand over the diaphragm, to casual hands held in front of the stomach, to arms folded across the chest.

Any permutation of “Figleaf” portrays a closed-in speaker. Audiences most often interpret this posture as being defensive: a subconscious display of the speaker’s fear and self-protection. (And, guess what? They are often quite right.)

Suggestion: Practice displaying the entire front of your body to the audience. If you hold notes, use only one hand, and do not allow that hand to stray in front of your body. Do not stand behind any object. By allowing the audience to see your body from head to foot, you are non-verbally saying, “I am confident. I’m not hiding anything.” This posture helps to ensure a connection of trust and openness between you and the audience.

Flamingo
A position that is often seen, but rarely discussed, may be called the flamingo position. This involves bending one knee back and balancing that foot on its ball, while the other foot remains flat. This causes a hip to jut out and puts the primary weight on one leg. Women most often take this pose, though I’ve seen men do it, too. If you want to look like a cheerleader or an aspiring model, use the flamingo pose. Enough said?

Suggestion: Keep both feet flat on the ground, about 12 inches apart, facing directly forward. If desired, bend the knees a tiny bit for a sense of elasticity and fluidness.

Remember: To be an effective speaker, you must invest time and energy into the design of your message. Then deliver it with directness and authenticity. By avoiding the three positions we’ve talked about here, your presentation will soar!

Read more articles about Presentation Skills. Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops or Individual Coaching.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

© 2007 Guila Muir. All rights reserved.
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