Where to put your hands when presenting? This is probably one of the most frequently heard questions when it comes to an effective appearance. Somehow they get in the way as soon as you stand in front of people and speak. They hang awkwardly on shoulders and elbows. Disturbing somehow. So where to put it?
Now the problem begins. Because particularly clever contemporaries have at some point brought the fairy tale into the world that the zone below the belt is "ugh". So just don't wave your hands around there, that spreads a bad impression, they say.
But where else to put it? Where's the magic trick that makes my hands just disappear as soon as I get up to go forward? Simply hold it in front of the upper body, it is then said. Bend your elbows, hands open in front of your chest or stomach. And if that also creates such a strange feeling, put your hands together. Open, of course, and relaxed. Or use the "Merkel attitude" right away, fingertips pressed together as if you wanted to call on the Almighty.
What is the result? Surely you know the result of such well-intentioned, but unfortunately fundamentally wrong advice. The effect is fatal. Because gestures that are used all too consciously are always perceived as spurious. As not authentic. As trained. And not at all sovereign.
Therefore, my urgent recommendation: Refrain from this false aid. Their gestures unfold all by themselves, if the conditions for them are met. tune . If you have found your point of view in the room – understood quite literally. Two feet on the ground, well grounded: There I stand, I have something to say. Before your first word, allow yourself this second of inner concentration. This is how attention is created. And you will notice that your shoulders let go, your arms just sink loosely down. Wonderful. Now you radiate security. It's obvious – you have something to say.
And then the magic happens. The first word sets the gestures in motion. When you impulsively address someone, the brain always sets the torso, arms and hands in motion first, only then does the tone of the voice follow. Just observe this in everyday life.
So where to put your hands when presenting? Look for a point of view, pause for a second and collect yourself, feel that your shoulders let go, then get started. And your hands do what they can't help doing – gesticulating. Informal, authentic, natural.
Merkel's attitude... reminds me of the belly dance exercises... when exhaling, close the muscle inwards and pull it up to your belly button... Maybe she's practicing secretly or she wants to say. looks at my navel and not at my face
With Mr. Fischbacher, I assume that he is speaking and letting his voice work and thus fascinating his audience... because his attitude rather says... well, then I'll wait and see how my audience reacts!
das ist gut, dumme tipps sammeln!!! :-))
ich finde, brauchbar ist noch die variante, einen stift in die hand zu nehmen, da werden nervöse hände ruhig.
Best regards
Andrea Klein
Every rule about where the hands should go is nonsense, because everything seems cramped. I recommend that the people who learn to moderate events with me hold a DIN A5 sheet of paper horizontally in their hands. You need a few notes for your introductions and moderations anyway. And lo and behold: the leaf becomes the "base" of the hands – from there they buzz out and magically return.
It's a pity, it's a pity that Arno Fischbacher talks and writes so absolutely absolutely..... even if the idea with "the stupidest tips" attracts attention :-)) Compliments!!
Because even the tip: "Don't listen to the stupidest tips" can be understood as such if it is understood as a "recipe" ...
We are completely in agreement with the fact that there is no "absolute truth" about it and that trained postures in particular will go completely wrong (but with great certainty :-))
Happy work and good luck in trying things out
Dear Mr. Fischbacher,
Your presentation at the WKS gave me good information. Thank you for this beautiful evening.
Kind regards, Rosmarie Weber
I once saw a great poster. Mrs. Merkel in various situations, always with her hands together in front of her stomach with fingertips. Comment was: "Super glue is NOT a toy." Just looks totally unnatural.
Dear Mr. Fischbacher,
since I am a singing actor and speech trainer myself, I can only fully agree with you
and thank you for fighting these stupid tips.
So my motto is rather: "The recipe is: there is no recipe." Stupid or not stupid – usually a question of perspective, personal perception and hasty evaluation – often out of ignorance and ignorance, which my own experiences have 😉 taught me
On the "Merkel attitude":
"She uses an ancient energy exercise from the Uckermark. To do this, she puts both hands together so that the fingers of both hands touch. And in such a way that thumb to thumb, index finger to index finger, middle finger to middle finger, ring finger to ring finger, little finger to little finger meet on the fingertips.
Sceptical? Try it out." Roland Kopp-Wichmann in his personality blog as a tip for dealing with fears
Dear Ms. Neehoff, thank you for your hint! The beautiful energy exercise you mention can be quite effective, there is no question about that. Before the performance, mind you. However, it seems unsuitable to me during of the lecture or television appearance. And related to this – i.e. to unsuitable tips for appearance and speech – my little blog series wants to be understood.