“What do I do with my hands?”
- Laverne
- Jan 16, 2015
- 1 min read
If you look at the variety of speakers that TED has to offer, the amount of hand gestures they use and the frequency of hand gestures varies quite a bit. From the coach’s perspective, we watch each speaker rehearse and ask ourselves some basic questions before we add, change or reduce the gestures that each speaker employs.
What is their starting gesture?
Are the gestures distracting?
Do they make the speaker appear confident?
Do they match the content?
Are they sized to fit the audience?
Armed with answers, we orchestrate gestures to enhance the speaker and the story. If you’re ready to add a few gestures to you own repertoire, try these.
Balance gestures with quiet hands. Make a gesture and then bring your arms down.
When you refer to the audience as “you”, extend your arm all the way out, at shoulder level with an open hand.
When you need to count, use both hands and extend them out toward the group.
To compare two options or explain a before and after scenario, bring both arms over to your right side, fully extended for option 1 and then do the same on your left side, to show option 2.
Borrow from other speakers. Pick gestures that appear natural and relaxed!
Comments