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Again well done to everyone who came this week. It is always good to see new faces. Everyone is welcome to join in, no previous experience required!

In this session we focused on using your body language. Eye contact is an ongoing theme and something to always keep in mind

Remember

Eye contact (refresh sweep, z or stay)

Posture (refresh alignment from last week)
Some don’ts
• Hands on hips – you look too condescending or parental
• Crossed arms – you are not conveying a look that says, "Let’s talk."
• Hands crossed in front of you – otherwise known as the "figleaf" stance, this makes you look weak and timid.
• Hands joined behind your back – this stance (the "parade rest") makes you seem like you have no energy
• Leaning back in a chair, if seated – you look like you’re ready to pass judgement
• Putting your hands in your pockets – this makes you seem nervous and can result in jingling any change or keys that might be there

Gestures
We did an action or description based task topic this week where everyone was asked to outline the shape of an object you are describing, use fingers to count or list or demonstrate an action. This task was designed to practice the feeling of using gestures with a topic that lends itself to doing so without forcing the issue.

Gestures are in important part of your visual picture. They are reinforcements of the words and ideas you are trying to convey. Gestures include hand, arm and head movements. We all know people who "talk with their hands" – in some cultures gesticulating a great deal is the norm.

Two gestures to avoid are:
• Using a pointed finger – this makes you look accusatory, even if that wasn’t your intent
• Fist raising – this is hostile or threatening

The most effective gestures are spontaneous. They come from what you are thinking and feeling, and help your listeners relate to you and what you are telling them. When giving a presentation, make sure you vary your gestures. Don’t use the same motion over and over again. Audience members will focus on the repeated gesture and not your content. Use your palms and open them out to your audience when gesturing. Move your arm and hand as a single unit, gesturing up and down. When gesturing, always keep your hands and gestures above your waist.

Facial expression
There are different variations on it, but the age-old maxim is true: "Your face speaks a thousand words" or "The look on your face speaks volumes."

Be aware of your facial expressions. If possible, look at a mirror each time you are on the phone – do this for one week. Watch your face when you are talking on the phone.

Be aware of any artificial, unfriendly or deadpan expressions you may be making. Do you squint, frown, make strange faces? Once you are aware of any expressions you may make, it will be easier to eliminate them. Practice smiling and looking pleasant. That’s how you want to look when meeting clients or prospects.

Some facial expression "don’ts" include:
• arching eyebrows – this makes you seem surprised or questioning
• frowning – your moodiness will be the only thing the other person remembers
• grimacing – your prospect will wonder where it hurts

This week we did an exercise where we frowned for half of a talk and smiled for the other half. This really highlighted (on the people who managed the frown) the different that your facial expression can make to your voice. Just with a smile or a little extra enthusiasm your pitch, tone and projection all improve it is that easy!

This information has been put together with help from this website: http://www.integritytrainingsolutions.com/integrity/pdf/Body_Language.PD...

Remember to practice, practice, practice and add these tips to your mental checklist.

Please see the UniSpeakers Club page online at http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning/studying_smarter/peer_... for more information and upcoming sessions. In our next session (4th October) we will deal with speech preparation. I hope to see you there.

Jo Wisdom
Learning Skills Associate
Email joanne.wisdom@uwa.edu.au