Today’s Advisor gives you expert advice to ensure that during training your hands send the same message as your words.
Trainers might inadvertently send the wrong message based on their “hand behaviors” (i.e., how they hold their hands and what they do with them during training), says Guila Muir, a trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters and author of Instructional Design that Soars: Shaping What You Know into Classes that Inspire (www.guilamuir.com/kite-book).
“The good news is that, in presenting, there are only a few real ‘no-no’s’ for your hands. But there are numerous positive options.”
The negative options include holding “hands in pockets, locking hands in an ‘I’m handcuffed’ position behind the body, and fiddling with hair and clothing.”
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Another negative option is what Muir calls the “Figleaf.” “Figleaf is the posture that occurs when you place one or more hands in front of your midsection or abdomen. It takes its name from Adam and Eve’s typical stance in the Garden of Eden,” Muir explains.
“Our brains are hard wired to protect us. When we feel exposed (as many do when giving a presentation), we react by covering up.”
Muir offers some simple advice to avoid Figleaf. “All you need is willingness—willingness to try something new, even if it makes you feel exposed at first. You will see an immediate improvement in your confidence and competence as a speaker.”
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So, what are some positive alternatives that you can try? “Bend your elbows slightly and hold them slightly away from your body. Allow your hands to relax and face each other. Move your wrists slightly as you talk,” Muir says.
Her other suggestions are to:
- Gesture authentically to emphasize your message;
- Simply let your arms relax at your sides;
- Practice gesturing as you say, “On the one hand… and then on the other …”; and
- Move your hands from the shoulders instead of the elbows.
All of those behaviors, she says, “will make you look more credible, dynamic, and confident.”
Why It Matters
- Nonverbal communication is often more powerful than verbal communication.
- Facial expression, body posture, and hand gestures are the major components of nonverbal communication.
- Therefore, learning to use your hands appropriately during training sessions can greatly boost the effectiveness of your training in communicating the safety message.