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Body language dos and don’ts

Effective body language can greatly enhance a spokesperson’s credibility and connection with an audience during interviews, speeches, and Q&A sessions.

Maintain Eye Contact

Sustained eye contact conveys confidence, sincerity, and credibility. If direct eye contact feels intimidating, try focusing on people’s noses or foreheads—this creates the illusion of eye contact and helps reduce nervousness.

Avoid Crossing Your Arms

Crossed arms often signal defensiveness or guardedness, suggesting reluctance to share information. Instead, keep your arms relaxed at your sides and use hand gestures naturally to foster trust and openness.

Vary Your Vocal Tone

Fluctuating tone adds interest and signals genuine engagement with the topic. Women may naturally raise their voices, while men might lower theirs, but vocal variation keeps the audience attentive and engaged.

Limit Expansive Gestures

Avoid finger-pointing or overly expansive movements, which can appear dominant or overpowering. Keeping gestures relaxed maintains audience trust and helps keep the focus on your message.

Lean Forward When Seated

Leaning slightly forward shows interest and positivity, while leaning back may imply disinterest or distrust. In one-on-one interviews, sitting beside the interviewer rather than directly opposite can also foster a sense of collaboration rather than competition.

Minimize Fidgeting

Avoid touching your face, adjusting eyeglasses, or playing with objects, as these can suggest uncertainty or indecision. Keeping hands relaxed and posture erect communicates confidence and honesty.

Mastering these cues is only the beginning; body language holds a wide range of techniques that can further refine one’s presentation skills.

Antoine Boghos is Account Executive at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations, an independent PR agency headquartered in Dubai offering new-age public relations consultancy to the UAE and across the MENA region. | www.cbpr.me