Moving into the Zone
Because I started talking about the Zone in my last blog, I have a secret to share with you. It’s my favorite topic, and my secret weapon.
When you walk into the spotlight as a presenter, what do you do? You move into what I call your “Zone.”
When you make the mental and physical shift from talking to presenting, you are entering your Zone. Your eye contact, stance, posture, gesture, and vocal projection are some of the most important facets of your Zone.
Your presentation really begins the moment you get out of your car in the parking lot: you are “on” … and you are in your Zone. Think of your Zone as your suit of armor. No matter how you feel, no matter how fast your heart is racing, or how much sweat has dripped into your socks, your Zone will protect you.
Stance
Your steadying force in your Zone is your stance. Position your feet so they are aligned with your shoulders. Move your feet only when there is a reason to do so. Don’t pace or jangle your coins, bracelets, or earrings. Don’t rock, shift, or wander aimlessly around. Know exactly where you are, and why you are there.
Posture
In order to be perceived as a balanced and credible speaker, you must present an image of certainty and strength. Make a conscious decision to have your weight evenly distributed over both feet (50% over one foot, and 50% over the other foot). Visualize your spine as a stack of coins, stacked straight and strong through the center of your body. Relax your shoulders down, away from your ears, move them back, and then stack those coins.
Doing all this will allow you to be perceived as comfortable and solid. When YOU look comfortable, you will make your audience feel comfortable. Your audience will then be ready to focus on your message.
Barriers
Speakers distance themselves from their audience because their delivery is boring and their presentation is unrehearsed. Another culprit is the lectern that is placed between the speaker and the audience. Many speakers use a lectern as a security blanket to crouch behind, or lean on, or nervously shift our weight behind.
Don’t let a lectern lure you into thinking that you have a security blanket. The lectern diminishes the conversational feel you want in a presentation.
Like talk show hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman, get out from behind the barrier and stand tall. Do what Leno and Letterman do: move close to your audience. Avoid the lectern except for such situations as formal acceptance speeches and commencement addresses.
