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Let your feet start the talking
Speakers must know that speaking involves more than words ? expressive faces and body movements. Through our feet are so far from our face, they have a language of their own. Shakespeare said four hundred years ago, ?Nay, her foot speaks.? Unlike the face and hands, the legs and feet are hard to control.
The position of your feet can affect your audience?s perception of you, your speech and whether or not they buy your message. It is recommended that you position your feet (for men) the heels from 20 to 25 cm apart (depending on your height), and (for women) the heels about 10 cm apart, with toes pointing slightly, in a ?V? shape.
Depending on the length of the speech you may well not want to be rooted to a spot. Much of the movement happens unconsciously and often leads to annoying dances. The position varies from the omnipresent Sway (side to side movement, weight on one foot and then on the other), to the Rock (back and forth, weight on heels then on toes, common with women wearing high-heeled shoes), to the Shuffle (moving back and forth as if polishing the floor) and the Beginner Ballerina ( rising up and down on the toes).
Competent speakers use their feet efficiently to enhance platform presence and express vital points. Learn to be steady and you will be a more persuasive and charismatic speaker. Walking should be as natural as breathing. If the presentation is without a rostrum, you must plan and control your walking patterns. When you move, make sure you have somewhere to go ? to explain visual aids, clarify transitions and make delivery more dynamic. Move again, when you are ready, either back to your starting position, or to a new spot.
With a friendly audience, you can establish a good rapport and by walking right into the group to make the presentation livelier. You can use this to refocus the attention of a audience, which is losing interest. When you finish your presentation, do not run off in relief. Do not look subordinate. Walk confidently with a good posture and a smile on your face, back to your seat. Leonardo Da Vinci stated that the feet are ?a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.? So let them start the talking...
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