By The UK Domain
Do you really know what a good pitch looks like? When presenting your next big idea to investors who could make your dreams become reality, remember that they were once standing where you are now, and know exactly what makes a good pitch.
To make sure you deliver the best pitch possible, you have to command the room and keep the investors focused, not only with your speech, but with your body language.
Body language expert Carole Railton is analyzing 10 of the most popular TED Talks, to see how they can help you be more persuasive, more credible, and more engaging in leadership signals and, most importantly, to help you nail your next investor pitch.
Here are the top five positive gestures
Gesturing towards the audience
This gesture helps to guide and engage your audience. Involving the audience increases their attention and helps them to form a connection with you. Don’t be afraid to point to the audience; this is a confident gesture that engages audience members directly.
Speakers who used this gesture:
- Angela Duckworth – Author, Scientist, physiologist
- Elizabeth Gilbert – Writer
- Tony Robbins – Entrepreneur, Life Coach
Touching of the heart
This gesture helps depict the speaker as earnest and shows a depth of feeling for the story being told. Touching the heart implores the audience to believe and engage with the story or a particular point being made. Touching the head while making a point similarly expresses deep thought and asks the audience to think about the words being spoken.
Speakers who used this gesture:
- Brené Brown – Professor
- Sarah Kay – Spoken Word Poet
- Tony Robbins – Entrepreneur, Life Coach
Raising hands above waist level
This is a good place to keep your hands as it allows you to better direct and signal the points you are making. Make sure to keep your arms open, signalling an open personality and a willingness to engage with the audience, and relax your hands to convey confidence.
Speakers who used this gesture:
- Bill Gates – Tech Founder, Philanthropist
- Sheryl Sandberg – Tech CEO
- Steven Pinker – Psychologist, Linguist
Leaning in towards the audience
Protruding your head forward shows an eagerness to relay your information to the audience and indicates you are comfortable speaking to them. Pushing your head forward also signals having lots of ideas and thoughts, and key points can be emphasised by raising the head or shoulders
Speakers who used this gesture:
- Jeff Bezos – Tech Founder
- Elizabeth Gilbert – Writer
- Sheryl Sandberg – Tech CEO
Maintaining A symmetrical stance
A strong and symmetrical stance depicts confidence and the audience are more likely to absorb information from someone they view as balanced. Take centre stage and show your power and confidence right from the beginning; hands on the hips are a particularly powerful indicator of leadership.
Speakers who used this gesture:
- Angela Duckworth – Author, Scientist, physiologist
- Naomi Klein – Activist, Journalist, Social Critic
- Jeff Bezos – Tech Founder
—
Leadership Signals is brought to you by The UK Domain. Our analysis includes Angela Duckworth, Bill Gates, Brené Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert, Jeff Bezos, Naomi Klein, Sarah Kay, Sheryl Sandberg, Steven Pinker and Tony Robbins. A special thanks to Carole Railton for providing her analysis of each TED Talk. Carole Railton is an expert in body language and neuro-lingustic programming. She founded Living Success to help clients in their work and personal lives using her experience in business and qualifications in NLP, homeopathy and coaching. She is also the founder of Life After Branding and has recently written a book called The Future of Body Language.
Add Comment