Body Language Tool: Illustrative Hands
HOW? Rehearse your presentation out loud, using your hands to illustrate one keyword in each sequence. For example, while saying “working together across departments ...”, stretch your hands out in front of you, quickly cross them one above the other and back again a few times to illustrate the kind of flow you mean. Stick to illustrating a single keyword per point. Otherwise, it turns into sign language.
Use illustrative hands to underscore the most important words – which are almost always verbs. Verbs embody actions that take us from A (where we are now) to B (where we want to go).
For example, what does reduce look like if you draw it in the air with your hands? You might push both palms down- ward in a line from eye height to your midriff. Conversely, you might turn the palms of your hands upwards and raise them when talking about maximising something.
You can illustrate focus by marking out a long, straight road that starts at your forehead and extends all the way to the horizon. You can convey integrate by interweaving your fingers in front of you. In my experience, there are 15 key verbs that frequently characterise presentations: focus, target, prioritise, remove, integrate, turn round, increase, reduce, develop, change, collab- orate, interact, spread, gather and invest.
But remember, we’re not talking about a strict sign language in which each verb has its own specific gesture. Whatever way you visualise a verb is the right way for you.
