by Gilda Bonanno LLC www.gildabonanno.com
I usually
don’t recommend giving a presentation from behind a lectern because it can
become a barrier between you and the audience and make it harder for you to
engage them.
However,
sometimes you have no choice because there is no other place for you to stand
without blocking the big screen or the microphone you need to use is fixed to
the lectern.
If you must
use the lectern, avoid these 3 mistakes to ensure the lectern doesn’t interfere
with your ability to communicate confidently and clearly with your audience:
1) Don’t hunch over the lectern
Stand up
straight so you appear energized and confident.
Resist the urge to slouch over the lectern. Adjust the microphone to your height rather
than lowering your head and slumping to meet it.
If you use
notes, make sure the words are in large enough font to be read easily when the
notes are placed on the podium and you are standing up straight.
2) Don’t hold on for dear life
Especially
if you are a little nervous about speaking, the tendency is to grip the edges
of the lectern so hard that your knuckles turn white, making you look tense and
stilted. Relax your hands at your sides
or place them loosely on the lectern; use them for natural gestures, ensuring
that they can be seen above the top of the lectern.
3) Don’t hide behind the lectern
You cannot
be an effective presenter if the audience can only see the top of your head. Practice
standing behind the lectern so you know whether you need a step to stand on in
order to be seen clearly by the audience.
If you have
to deliver a presentation from behind a lectern, avoid these 3 mistakes so you can present with poise, energy and confidence.
Gilda Bonanno's blog www.gildabonanno.blogspot.com
| Sign up for Gilda's Newsletter & receive a FREE REPORT: 7 STEPS TO CONFIDENT PUBLIC SPEAKING |