Move on purpose
Should you move when you present?
It depends on what you want to accomplish with your movement.
Our eyes are attracted to movement. Military snipers must learn this pinciple in order to survive on a mission. It is movement that reveals their position.
You can use this principle to your advantage when you present.
Move when you want to catch the attention of your audience. You could stride across the front of the room. You might wave your hands. After you have their attention and want your audience to listen, stand still while you speak.
Why? Because our brain tends to focus on one sensory input at a time. You've seen this principle in action if you have been driving your car in an unfamiliar neighborhood and turned the volume down on your car stereo so you could focus on reading the street signs.
As human beings our sense of highest brain priority is our vision - especially related to movement. It is our vision that enabled us to avoid the predators and find our food. Movement meant threat or food. When we see something moving we perk up and watch attentively while toning down our other senses.
If you pace while you speak your audience will watch more than listen. If you want to walk while you speak then only move when the words are not important and stand still for the important words. This technique will make your standing-still words so much more important.
If you must move when you present, move on purpose to enhance your words.
George Torok
PS: tell me how this tip helps you.
PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
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