By Liz Radzick of Manifest Consulting

Probably the most common question I get asked by presenters is “What do I do with my hands?” Many people wave them around all the time while they talk while others clasp them modestly in front of them like a virtual fig leaf.  Some people are completely oblivious about what their hands are doing – like the man I coached once who had no idea that he had given the finger to his audience when counting off a series of ideas with one hand!

So what to do with your hands when presenting?

Aim high. If you are at a podium and want to gesture, you’ll have to gesture from your chest up to your head zone if your audience is going to actually see the gestures. For example, if you are counting on one hand, hold your hand high up to the side (not in front of your face) and hold it steady while you count off your points.

Do Karate. Rather than using soft, curved hand shapes and fluid movements (which are fine but tend to be more feminine and not as powerful) experiment with flat, straight hands and definitive gestures. For example, imagine you are holding a box in front of you with your elbows close to your body and your hands out straight – like a bad robot impersonation. If you were to say “It is CRITICAL…” you could then do a slight chopping motion with both your hands firmly and briefly as if you were putting the box on a table in front of you to emphasize the word CRITICAL.

Don’t point. Pointing at people makes you look like an angry librarian. Instead, use a flat open hand palm up and extend your arm just shy of its full extension to the person you are indicating.

Befriend your navel. The best place to park your hands when you are not using them is right about navel level. Folded, fingers lightly interlaced or clasped is fine. Choose what feels best for you. If it feels weird to hold them here, practice by holding a laptop at this level while talking. Then repeat without the laptop – your muscles will stay engaged and you won’t feel as awkward.

 And after you present, use your hands to give yourself a pat on the back!