Reduce Static and Communicate More Effectively

Part 2 of a 2 Part Series on Public Speaking
By Angie Kellen, Director of Client Services. Open Sky Communications

In part one of this blog, I provided insight on the importance of making a human connection in your public speaking. In part two, I’ll go over tips that can help reduce static and enable you to communicate more effectively. So what do we mean by ‘static’ in communication? Static occurs when a speaker’s body language, voice/vocals and content are not in alignment.

Why is this important? It helps to understand that our first impression comes from the speaker’s body language, second is the voice or vocals, and lastly, the content or what is actually said. At The Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at the University of Glasgow, researchers found that it takes only 200 milliseconds for the brain to interpret someone’s emotional state from his or her facial expression. This confirms that through non-verbal cues, your body is doing the talking!

If you deliver the news that your company just exceeded its sales goals for the year and you are stone-faced, have no energy or enthusiasm and speak in a low volume to your audience, they are not effectively understanding your message. In fact, they may miss what you have said entirely due to the conflicting cues or ‘static’ that they are receiving from your body language
and voice.

When your body language is aligned with your voice and words, the audience will believe that what you are feeling inside is aligned with what you’re verbally expressing. As a result, you’ll be perceived as authentic and can truly connect with your audience. However, when your words say one thing and your body language shows the opposite, you are believed to be unsure, indecisive, or even deceptive.

So how do we ensure we are communicating effectively?

Let’s take a look at body language since it is the first and largest impression. Controlling and understanding your body language is about becoming aware and managing it. Once you understand your body language, it can be used to your advantage. To get an idea of the body language you use, start by watching yourself on video performing a speech or use a mirror and choose something you would talk about at work or in an interview. After you do this, take note of the tics and gestures that you displayed.

Once you get a sense of your body language, start keeping track of it for the next several weeks. Tap into an awareness of your body and be sure to pay attention to the cues you use. It helps to observe the body language of others too. Take note of what you observe when connecting what people are saying to what their bodies are doing. If you’ve watched yourself on
video, taken notes, and are terrified to see that you have a laundry list of nervous tics, don’t worry. We all have something to work on. The beauty is that you have the power to change it, if you are motivated to do so. If you need proof, or more insight, watch Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk, where she talks about changing your body language to shape who you are. Use Amy’s power poses to improve and practice in the mirror. Believe me, the poses are useful! Don’t forget, you can ask for help from a friend, family member, boss, or co-worker to observe your body language and/or hire a public speaking coach.

Always keep in mind, the goal is to strike a balance where not only is your body language matching your verbal language, it’s actually making it better. Think of it as using your body language as a tool to complement effective verbal skills. Now, you’ll need to link the message you’re conveying with the correct gesture or posture. Some of these are uncrossing legs, arms, or hands when having a difficult conversation to display openness. Don’t forget to also smile. This is a technique widely used to gain acceptance, calm others, and instill confidence. Check out the video from Good Manners on Body Language Do’s and Don’ts. This isn’t everything you need to know, but the video provides insight on a few basic things we can do today to improve our own body language and how we are perceived by others.

Keep in mind not to get ahead of yourself. First, you need to understand what you want to change, reign yourself in, then conquer those tics. It takes time. Stay focused and be patient. It doesn’t matter where you start with understanding and improving your own body language. By simply gaining awareness and working to make small and subtle improvements, you will gain traction toward your own betterment. Good luck on your quest to remove static and strike the best balance!