Confidently communicate from a place of awareness and intention.

As a presentation skills coach, an important part of my work is shining a spotlight on nonverbal communication. To make sure HOW you present & communicate aligns with WHAT you are saying.

We begin by identifying your natural presentation style. As from there, you can make changes based on how you want to connect to your audience.

From a place of awareness, you can be intentional:

The following 6 prompts are here to get you thinking about your natural presentation & communication style. There is no right or wrong answer!

Whatever you observe, remember you have the capacity to transform your presentation & communication style. Empowering you to connect to the best version of yourself, so you can connect to others from that place of strength.

Have a read through the 6 prompts below, and let me know what you discover. Drop me a line here

And to learn more about why I believe knowing your unique, natural presentation style is important watch this short (min) video here.

#1. Rehearse or Improvise?

When it comes to recording video content, do you rehearse or do you improvise?

As an actor in NYC, I'd use subway journeys to memorize my lines. (And it wasn't unusual to spot other actors too - expressions changing, inaudible words forming under their breath, playscript in hand)

Whilst I no longer need to memorize lines, this skill set comes in handy for any presentation setting, especially recording video.

Have a think about your ideal preparation situation. Rehearse or improvise?

Regardless of your preference, here are a few tips for you from my acting life (no drama training required!

For those who REHEARSE:

think about your learning style (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic?) and leverage that knowledge
practice out loud - repeat, repeat, repeat (vocal rhythm helps you to remember your message)
practice out loud while standing up! - if you tend to gesture a lot, you might find yourself repeating certain movements as your muscle memory kicks in
write & re-write what you want to say
read, re-read & internalize

For those who IMPROVISE:

I'll let you in on a secret - there are rules that underpin the spontaneity in improv. Create your own improv rulebook and make a few decisions before recording:

decide on the arc: intro, middle, end
if you get off on a tangent - choose a phrase you can say that will re-focus you and the topic you're speaking to
get specific, paint a picture - your audience is more likely to stay engaged if you're sharing details rather than generalities.

#2 Direct or Indirect?

How do you use space? Are you direct or indirect in your use of space?

Wait, what?!

Here's an example: if you are filming a step by step tutorial, and if your usual style of presenting is filled with lots of gestures illustrating every detail (ie indirect use of space) you'd benefit from adding clear, indicative gestures (ie direct) to highlight key parts of your tutorial. Making it easier for your audience to follow along.

Here are other examples of DIRECT use of space:

moving in clear line to different area of a stage
pointing
holding your hand up (like to ask a question)

And examples of INDIRECT use of space:

shifting your weight
series of small gestures that merge together

How you naturally gravitate towards using space is useful information. It allows you to be intentional - to choose to move and gesture in a way that supports your message.

#3 Comma or Full Stop?

How do you punctuate your speech? (And not the written kind!) Are you someone who speaks in 'commas' or 'full stops'?

A 'comma' style may be more flowing, with sentences merging together. It may be perceived more positively as dynamic or negatively, as unfocused.

A 'full stop' communication style may have more pauses. This lends itself towards gravitas but can backfire if you're looking to engage in conversation.

Which one are you?

My natural style is more 'comma' than 'full stop'. I love relishing in the flow of words, but that's not always the most impactful way for me to communicate. In those moments, I really focus on breathing in at the end of a sentence - it gives me a moment to think before I speak again (or not). It puts me much more in control of how I present. (And best of all, this trick is imperceptible to the listener).

Here's a tip if you are a 'full stop' kind of presenter:

Think about how you're communicating nonverbally in those pauses. Is your body language open? Are your facial expressions encouraging engagement in others? (ie A smile, nod or leaning in)

Here's another tip if your natural style is like mine and more 'comma':

Try scoring your notes or speech with breath marks. This is a tried and tested trick from my days in front of a music score. By indicating to yourself when to breathe, you've got a reminder on paper to do so.

#4 Measured or Syncopated?

When it comes to public speaking, what's your rhythm?

Do your words have the syncopated rhythms of jazz, tumbling to and fro?

Or do they land in your listener's ear in a steady, measured pace?

Thinking about the musicality and rhythm of words can open a new way of thinking about how you’re communicating your message.

For example, if you’re someone who naturally speaks in a steady rhythm, you may find switching to a more playful, syncopated rhythm helps energize others during the weekly 3pm (unfortunately timed during the post-lunch slump) team call you lead.

#5 Expressive or Reserved?

When it comes to connecting with others, are you expressive in your approach or reserved?

Recently, I wrote about how my American smiley-ness was received as overtly expressive when I first moved to the UK. (I had never thought twice about how much I smiled before!)

But as I say in this 'Know Yourself Better' series, understanding your natural inclination, your 'default' presentation style is hugely helpful in determining whether it's serving you (or not, as was the case with my "over the top" American smile!)

I recently had an interesting conversation with a friend who has decided to be more reserved in her approach to smiling. She said she wants to build intrigue when walking into a room, so rather than smile at anyone and everyone, she's more intentional.

So what about you? Is your face an open book? When it comes to smiling - or facial expressions in general (frowning counts too!) - are you expressive or reserved?

#6 Expansive or Insular

Last but not least, here's a prompt asking you to reflect on your energy when it comes to presenting & communicating.

Are you expansive or insular?

Energetically, I think of insular as a spiral.... their energy stays contained to themselves, and spirals inwards rather than radiating outwards.

Conversely, I imagine the energy of an expansive style to be like a blast of colour, propelling outwards but not necessarily directed in one place.

I can think of situations I've been in, where I've exhibited both these tendencies. Sometimes insular, and other times expansive. But I know if I'm nervous, I'm more likely to lean towards an indirect expansive style. (I now have a toolbox to help direct my nervous energy, so I can stay focused & composed even when the nerves are activated. Because “focused & composed" is usually my intended presentation mode.)

So back to the prompt: are you expansive or insular with your energy? Remember, there's no right answer. It’s all about gathering information to bring you greater awareness of the unique patterns, quirks and habits that make up your personal presentation style

There’s magic in reflection.

Now you’ve read all 6 prompts, what did you learn? Tell me, tell me!

And to see why I believe in discovering your natural presentation style is key, take a look this video over on my Instagram.

Want to feel more confident on camera?

Your free guide to Camera Confidence is here! I’ve collaborated with photographer Anja Poehlmann to share the technical know how & presenting best practice, to empower you to show up on camera feeling like the best version of you.

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