Tip 243: Use gestures
Be aware of nervous gestures which may be apparent in your body language. If you have ever videotaped yourself giving a presentation, you will soon pick up on these gestures.
Work to eliminate distracting or nervous gestures. Avoid excessive hands in pockets, clenched fists, pointing, hands on hips, hand under chin, folded arms around chest, and the infamous fig leaf position where your hands are crossed in front of your groin.
Do not spend too much time or energy to develop new gestures – they will come naturally, if you let them and encourage them.
Let your words trigger your actions. If you are counting, hold out your fingers. If you say no, shake your head no. If you are saying something nice, give a big smile. Hold your hands open and wide apart to show sincerity and honesty.
If you are giving a demonstration or intentionally gesticulating, bear in mind that the larger your audience, the larger, slower and more energetic your gestures will need to be. Conversely, if you have a small audience or if you are videoconferencing, use smaller gestures.
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