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What do you do with your hands when giving a speech, presentation, or speaking when the stakes are high?

You use them. Strategically.

Today, I'm going to share my top tips for mastering hand gestures, a key component of nonverbal communication that I teach in my ​Impromptu Speakers Academy​ that I'm launching soon, in order to make your messages stick.

Let's dive in.

The Basics of Intentional Gestures

Most of my students either over-gesture (which is distracting) or look awkward because they don't know where to place their hands.

But the key is to remember these 3 core principles:

1. Be intentional: Each gesture should have a purpose and reinforce your message.
2. Stay synchronized: Your gestures should match the rhythm and content of your speech.
3. Keep it within "The Box": Imagine a box from your shoulders to your waist. Most gestures should stay within this area for maximum impact without being distracting.

 

Now, let's explore some of my go-to hand gestures that you can start incorporating into your communication toolkit:

1. "Let Me List the Reasons"

Use your fingers to count off points, starting with your index finger. This gesture is perfect for enumerating items or listing key points in a sequence.

Example: "There are three main reasons why this project will succeed. First..."

 

2. "We're Seeing Significant Growth"

Move your hand upward in a smooth, rising motion to illustrate increase, growth, or positive trends. You can do the opposite when describing declines.

Example: "Our customer satisfaction scores have been steadily rising over the past quarter."

 

3. "On One Hand... On the Other Hand..."

Use your left hand for one point and your right hand for a contrasting point. This gesture is excellent for comparing and contrasting two ideas or options.

Example: "On one hand, this approach is cost-effective. On the other hand, it may take longer to implement."

 

4. "Let's Bring This Together"

Bring both hands together, palms touching or clasped, to show convergence of ideas or collaboration.

Example: "By combining our strengths, we can create a truly innovative solution."

 

The Key to Mastery: Practice and Feedback

Like any skill, mastering hand gestures takes practice. Here's a simple exercise to help you incorporate these gestures naturally:

1. Choose one gesture to focus on for a week. Don't try to do all of these at once.
2. Practice using it in low-stakes conversations with friends or family.
3. Ask for feedback on how natural and effective the gesture feels.
4. Gradually incorporate it into more professional settings as you become comfortable.

Remember, the goal is not to memorize a set of robotic movements, but to develop a natural repertoire that enhances your unique style.

If you found this helpful, the Impromptu Speakers Academy is my 3-week bootcamp to help you become a clear and confident speaker at work. Reserve your spot today while they're still available.

 Preston