Tip: Natural gestures

Natural gestures are basically the aim for any public speaker.

If you are not a natural gesturer, it may be that with enough practice, you can develp gestures.

Nevertheless if you speak with passion – for your subject and for your audience’s outcomes – your body will support your message.  Even if you make no gestures, your stance, your facial expressions and your eye contact, will work powerfully to support that passion and your message.

It is necessary, however, to be aware if you are repeating the same gesture many times.  It may add emphasis the first time, but after that it will distract.  Watch television journalists and sooner or later you will notice this.

Be aware of your gestures, when you practise your speaking, until you are comfortable that they are natural, and not distracting, and then forget about them.  Work instead on your message, your enthusiasm and the outcomes you want.