Constrain:
to limit or restrict (something or someone)

Inhibited
unable to act in a relaxed and natural way because of self-consciousness or mental restraint

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Though there are circumstances when a speaker needs to use very few gestures (imagine a spokesperson after a tragedy), in most instances, gestures greatly enhance a speaker’s effectiveness.

We know that much of communication is non-verbal.  Facial expressions, body movement, gestures all contribute to more effective communication.

Yes, it is possible to have too many gestures.  But for every speaker with too many gestures, there are many, many more with too few gestures.

There are plenty of “guidelines” – vary your gestures (don’t make every gesture the same gesture); gesture above the waist, and if you are speaking behind a stand (commonly called a podium, but more accurately called a lectern), gesture above the stand.  In other words, people have to see your gestures for the gestures to have the desired effect.

We could keep going – some gestures are “forceful” gestures, and thus are good to use when making a point emphatically; others are more “intimate” gestures, and are extremely effective when seeking to better connect with your audience.

But, here are two “tips” for improving your gestures.

Tip #1 – Watch yourself on video with the sound turned off. 

This is such an easy “this-will-help-me-improve” step to take.  Turn the sound completely off, and watch yourself move and gesture.

When you do so, check the following:

Eye contact:  are you looking directly into the eyes of your audience members?  Are you looking at audience members in each part of the room – in a fairly balanced way?  (Note:  many, many speakers – including me – have a tendency to look at one side of the room more than the other. I have to work hard to correct this).

Facial Expressions:  Do you let some of your personality out in your facial expressions?  The more you express yourself through good facial expressions, the more effective you will be.

Gestures:  Are you using plenty of gestures — lots of gestures?  Do you use different gestures, or are they too-much-the-same?  The more varied, the better.

There is more to watch for – do you move well, but not pace?  Have you dressed appropriately for this setting?  (Note: for men who wear suits and ties to speak, it is almost always better to wear a dark suit, white shirt, and contrasting tie.  This makes it easier for your facial expressions to be seen).

Watching yourself speak with the sound off reveals so much, and provides an agenda to work on.

Tip #2 – Unvelcro your elbows.

Many speakers seem to gesture – even with fairly wide gestures – with their elbows “velcrod” to their side – like they are stuck to the side of the body, and can’t break free.  This looks unnatural — what my wife calls “floppy.”

It looks inhibited – constrained.

So, unvelcro your elbows.

Stand in front of a mirror and practice gestures, with your elbows fully disconnected from your torso.

Watch the best speakers, and they are not constrained, not inhibited.  Their gestures, their body movements are energetic, and “large.”  A way to practice getting better at this is to unvelcro your elbows.  Making this one change can make a big, big difference.

(Yes, “big” gestures may be too big for a sit-down presentation at a conference table — but even then, gesture often, just not quite as ”large” as you would in front of a larger audience, in a larger setting.).

Gestures; facial expressions, body movements – These can all greatly enhance your effectiveness.  And we can all improve our gestures.

Good luck.

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Here are three videos to watch.

Let’s start with the great locker room speech by Al Pacino from Any Given Sunday.  Watch it at least once with the sound off, and pay special attention to his gestures.  (What he does with his hand when he says “That’s what livin’ is…  the six inches in front of your face” is a great example of using a gesture that fits the precise message of the words at that exact moment in the speech (at about the 3:20 spot).

 

Next, watch this very short video with an important tip about the kind of gestures to use.  This less-than-one-minute video teaches a lot!

 

And, just to remind you of the importance and power of “body language,” watch this great TED Talk by Amy Cuddy:  “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.”