6 Ways to Look More Confident During a Presentation

During the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, there was a study in which 1,000 participants—both Democrats and Republicans—watched two-minute video clips featuring Barack Obama and Mitt Romney at campaign events delivering both neutral and emotional content.

Webcams recorded the viewers’ facial expressions, and the team analyzed them for six key emotions identified in psychology research: happy, surprised, afraid, disgusted, angry, and sad.

The analysis showed that Obama sparked stronger emotional responses and fewer negative ones

He displayed primarily open, positive, confident positions congruent with his speech. Romney, by contrast, often gave out negative signals, diminishing his message with contradictory and distracting facial expressions and movement.

How can you send out the same signals—and hopefully generate the same success?

#1- The BOX

To build trust, imagine a box in front of your chest and belly and contain your hand movements within it.

#2 - Holding the Ball

Gesturing as if you were holding a basketball between your hands is an indicator of confidence and control, as if you almost literally have the facts at your fingertips hands. Steve Jobs frequently used this position in his speeches.

#3 - Pyramid Hands

Clasp both hands together in a relaxed pyramid. Many business executives employ this gesture, though beware of overuse or pairing it with domineering or arrogant facial expressions. The idea is to show you’re relaxed, not smug.

#4 - Wide Stance

When you stand in this strong and steady position, with your feet about a shoulder width apart, it signals that you feel in control.

#5 - Palms Up

This gesture indicates openness and honesty. Oprah makes strong use of this during her speeches. She is a powerful, influential figure, but also appears willing to connect sincerely with the people she is speaking to, be it one person or a crowd of thousands.

#6 - Palms Down

The opposite movement can be viewed positively too—as a sign of strength, authority and assertiveness. Barack Obama has often used it to calm a crowd right after moments of rousing oration.

Record Yourself

• The next time you give a presentation, try to have it recorded, then review the video with the sound off, watching only your body language.
• How did you stand and gesture? Did you use any of these positions?

Practice in front of a mirror, then with friends, until they feel natural.

6 Ways to Look More Confident During a Presentation