The Well-Spoken Woman (13 page)

Stage Movement

If you are not using a speaker's lectern, then you need to be careful about how you move across a room or on a stage. Don't pace. Pacing back and forth makes the audience feel as though you've transported them to the National Zoo where they are watching some poor lion trapped in a cage. Use the “three-star” diagram to practice purposeful movement across a stage.

Before the presentation begins, envision the three stars on the floor. At the beginning, position yourself on the center star that is slightly behind the other two stars. If you start in a center-back position, then when you move, the movement will be forward toward the audience. Avoid moving away from the audience, particularly at the beginning, because you will look unsure.

Stay on the center star for a while before walking to one of the other stars. Deliver a couple of sentences or paragraphs of information before you move. When you arrive at the next star, stop and, again, stay a while to prevent pacing. When you walk again, you can go to either of the other stars, being careful not to turn your back to the audience. This requires being prepared to walk a little sideways but, with practice, is easy to do. Don't move too fast, or you will tire yourself and the audience out. Pace yourself so you don't run out of breath.

Step 4: Facial Expression

Coach Summitt says she has yet to see a newspaper photo of herself with her mouth closed. She thinks photographers wait until she yells before they
snap away. Facial expressions should match the words coming out of your mouth. Look like you are happy if you say you are happy. This is basic, but people often start presentations by mouthing the words: “I'm so pleased to join you today.” Meanwhile, their grim expression is anything but pleased. If you don't appear to be engaged and invested in the subject matter, you are giving the audience a reason not to listen. Some people use a limited range of facial expressions. However, most public-speaking situations are not the time for a poker face. The evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin wrote one of the first books examining facial expressions. Darwin found that monkeys and apes have the same facial muscles as humans and are capable of making many of the expressions we use. If monkeys can be expressive, so can you.

Animated Face Play

Begin with a smile, and you increase the odds the expression will be mirrored back to you. That sure beats looking at a bunch of stone faces. Women are generally more expressive than men, but some women mistakenly believe it is inappropriate to smile in a professional setting. The primary reason to smile is to project confidence. Some expressions don't work. President George W. Bush's closed-mouth smirk made him look contemptuous. A tight-lipped smile can be perceived as an attempt to mask anger or rejection, and a twisted smile may convey sarcasm. Researchers have also found that audiences can easily detect false expressions, so don't try to force a grin if you don't feel like smiling. A true smile is one that is visible in your eyes. Supermodels learn to smile with their eyes to prevent photographs from having a dull or flat expression.

Step 5: Hand Gestures

Not every speaker is a type-A personality like Coach Summitt, who has a tendency to flail her arms dramatically in the air. A low-key style can project steady calm and quiet confidence. But if you lack vocal inflection and are uncomfortable moving your body, you run the risk of being perceived as boring, stiff, or uninterested. Hand gestures can make your delivery more compelling. Hand gestures help the audience connect with your message—
a gesture can be used to underscore a central theme—and they can help you. Moving the hands loosens up the upper body to help you appear more relaxed. Gestures are a great way to externalize excess energy or anxiety. Get rid of nervous tension by letting it go through your arms and hands.

Keep gestures round and smooth. Harsh karate-chop jerks communicate aggression or nervous tension. Gestures should start in either the shoulder or the elbow. Do not flip your wrists around. You will look like Tweety Bird trying to take off. Here are other distracting movements to avoid.

Open-Hands Play

Hand gestures are a welcoming signal. They open you up so you look more accessible to the audience. When someone wants to communicate honesty, she will often raise her hands with palms facing the other person and say, “I mean it,” or “I didn't do it.” This intuitive gesture expresses openness and honesty.

There are three hand positions that work well with the champion stance.

 

1. Allow your arms to hang loosely at your sides. This is a neutral position but can feel awkward if you are nervous.
   
2. Another option is to raise both hands to waist level. Again, avoid interlacing your fingers. You can put one hand on top of the other or lightly brush your knuckles together.
   
3. Hold one hand at waist level with the other hand hanging at your side. Salespeople and politicians often use the one hand up and one hand down approach. If you have pockets, it is perfectly acceptable to put one hand in a pocket. However, putting both hands in your pockets will look sloppy.
   

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

“You had me at hello.”

First impressions matter a great deal. People form an impression in seconds, and it can stick with them for a lifetime. Sometimes it is all they remember. Plan the first impression you will make in advance, especially if you feel anxious. Heads turn your way as soon as the introduction is read: “Please give a warm welcome to our speaker….” Start by greeting the audience visually. When walking into a room, onto a stage, or up to a head table, hold your chin so it is slightly raised. Don't stare at your feet or notes. Avoid rushing, as you may find yourself breathless and scrambling to control a racing heartbeat. Presenters often start talking before they are physically ready to begin.

Open with polish by taking a moment to get set. When you arrive at the spot from which you will be speaking, keep your head down while you arrange notes or cue up the PowerPoint. The bowed head sends a signal that you are not quite ready. Take a couple of seconds to get set and give
the audience a moment to get ready to listen. They will adjust their seats, put away the cell phones, and wrap up the chitchat. Next take a deep breath and exhale so your vocal tone is warm. While you exhale, settle into the champion stance. Then, look up with a smile—at the sweet spot. Give them a nod; this is the signal you are about to begin. Take another breath, exhale, and deliver a greeting. All this will take only three or four seconds.

Prepare a written greeting in advance so you have the first two or three lines down pat. It may be as simple as “Hello, everyone. Thank you for inviting me. I'm delighted to join you today.” Being prepared reduces the lastsecond pressure of deciding what to say. It also ensures your mind will not go blank. By taking a moment to get set, you will look prepared and assured. You will begin to develop a rapport with the audience right from the get-go.

PODIUM PRESENCE

Coach Summitt is almost as tall as First Lady Obama, and their height gives both a decided advantage at a lectern—you can see them. Most lecterns are designed and built to fit people who are six feet tall, primarily men. Most women stand about five feet four inches, so a lectern often becomes a barrier. When Queen Elizabeth spoke at a press conference in the White House Rose Garden, the occasion was immortalized with photographs
of the Queen's “talking hat.” White House staff had overlooked the need for a podium, and the result was a pillbox hat bobbing up and down as the queen's face was masked by the press microphones.

Two types of podiums can provide a needed lift: a small box that is placed behind the lectern or a riser that is built into the floor. Consider purchasing your own box podium if you plan to speak frequently. The technical name for a small podium is an “apple box.” Apple boxes are inexpensive, lightweight, portable, and available in varying heights. They can be purchased online. You may also ask the event host to provide one. Most do not think of this detail, so request it in advance.

Now that you can be seen, here are some pointers to ensure you look good up. A lectern is generally used for more formal occasions such as conferences, debates, and keynote addresses. It is furniture that can be employed to hold a microphone, a speech text, or a glass of water. It is not there to hold you up, so don't try to hide behind it. Avoid standing too close to it. Give yourself some wiggle room by backing away about eight inches or so. If you must touch it, rest your fingertips or hands lightly on top.

WELL-SPOKEN MEANS WELL-DRESSED

Coach Summitt's courtside uniform is no longer an afterthought, as her clothing was when she was a tomboy growing up on a Tennessee farm. As a global ambassador for women's sports, she now suits up appropriately. Although it isn't easy finding stylish, camera-ready suits in the team color—bright orange—the coach's goal is to dress like a winner. Learning how to dress well took some effort because appearance wasn't always a priority for her.

The Summitt family lived on a dairy and tobacco farm, and by the age of ten, Pat was driving a tractor and baling hay alongside three brothers. On the farm, Summitt said: “A shopping spree was to buy a pair of striped pants at K-Mart.”
⁷
When she headed off to the University of TennesseeMartin, the transition was rocky. She described herself as a lanky, shy “farm kid with crooked teeth and all the wrong clothes, who said
ain't
and
reckon
and
yonder”
⁸
Her suitcase was filled with dresses and jumpers that fell below the knee when miniskirts and knee-high boots were the rage. She began to pay attention to how she presented herself after joining the Chi Omega sorority. Her sorority sisters smoothed out the “ain'ts” and updated the wardrobe.

Unlike members of a basketball team, presenters don't need to be dressed uniformly with matching jerseys, socks, and warm-ups. However, certain clothing options will ensure your garb doesn't stand in the way of a good performance. Making wise choices in advance prevents the dis-comfort and embarrassment of ill-fitting clothes. Onstage, the entire package is up for review, so follow the basics to ensure your speaking uniform is a good fit.

When a man gets up to speak, people listen, then look. When a woman gets up to speak, people look; then if they like what they see, they listen.

—Pauline Frederick

Step 1: Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions

A big presentation is not the time for a wardrobe malfunction. Remember Janet Jackson's Super Bowl halftime performance? When you are onstage,
don't allow a popped bra strap or too-short skirt to steal the show. The act of giving the speech is demanding enough without having to worry about whether you can walk in the shoes or whether undergarments will show when you raise your arms. Women are much more likely to suffer a fashion faux pas than men. The guys have three basic uniforms: the formal dark suit, the navy blazer/khaki slacks combo, and the tuxedo for special occasions. These outfits ensure they are literally covered for all public appearances.