Hands Or No Hands?
One thing that always comes up in my voice and presence workshops is the issue of hand gestures. And usually, there is no consensus.
- I don’t usually gesture
- I talk a lot with my hands
- I’ve never really noticed
- It feels too dramatic
So, here’s my ten cents…
1️Keep your gestures open and expansive
2️Make sure they’re smooth and simple
3️ Make sure there’s a purpose to the gesture
4️ Use but don’t overuse
From my observations in the many sessions I’ve run, the more extroverted the person, the more gestures are used. And conversely, the more introverted the person, the less gestures are used.
In short, there is no right or wrong. But, here’s a test:
If you’ve got a presentation coming up, video yourself giving your introduction with your hands behind your back (IE do not gesture at all).
Do it again, and use gestures that feel authentic.
You will most likely notice that your 2nd video is more engaging, but also notice how your gestures match the stress beats of your words and work with the volume of your voice.
So, this shows how voice and presence always work together. Each supporting the other.
????⭐️ Helping Good Speakers Become Great Speakers.