WHEN SPEAKING REMEMBER GESTURE ADDS AND DISTRACTS

* Gesture must be ‘compatible’  with the presenter and magnifying of speech. 

* Gesture is a tool that can help emphasise and reinforce points.

* Overdoing gestures can undermine conversation because recipients are studying aspects of body language rather than listening to what is being said.

Avoid ‘accidental’ gestures which are off-putting. These might include the following:

* Wagging a cordless microphone while speaking.

* Rocking from one foot to the other or swaying from the waist.

* Neck movement which is out of sync with the general         movement

* Eye contact, which has you speaking in one direction and looking in another.

* Randomly putting on and taking off spectacles.

* Holding and wagging or twirling glasses while speaking.

* Doing similar with a pen, lazar pointer or some other prop.

* Pulling at the collar, sleeves or any other aspect of apparel.