Annoying Actions to Avoid when Public Speaking
Often, people speak about the distractions that bother them when they speak publicly. However, generally, they mention people speaking in the audience, rustling candy wrappers, technical problems, and other issues that are beyond their control.
Have you ever stopped to consider how you, as a speaker, distract from your speech? How your annoying actions and habits throw off both your speech and the audience’s attention? Let’s take a look at some of the annoying actions you should avoid when public speaking and check out some solutions.
- Filler Words
The human brain is a wondrous thing, but it takes a lot of practice to purge your speech of ums, ahs, and other filler words such as basically, so, you know, like, and actually. Do yourself a favor and record your next public speaking engagement. Often, we rely on filler words because we didn’t rehearse enough, or we failed to formulate or structure our thoughts properly.
Your brain is trying to figure out what to say next, and in that gap of time, it adds that annoying little um. They annoy the audience and could affect your credibility. The solution is to outline and organize your thoughts and allow yourself the chance to rehearse them at least once. Take a brief pause between points and slow the pace of your speech.
2. The Eye Dart
This is something that everyone struggles with, whether they’re a seasoned public speaker or a socially awkward person trying to converse with a group of people. The eye dart is an unconscious movement. Your eyes flit from person to person; you never make any meaningful eye contact with anyone in your audience.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it is. It’s something that suggests disinterest, insecurity, or even insincerity. When you make eye contact with a member of the audience, you should do so for a few seconds. This will tell the audience that you are confident, credible, and that you believe what you’re saying.
3. Bad Mannerisms
Pacing across the stage. Hands in pockets. Playing with your hair. Swaying. Fidgeting with jewelry. Leafing through your notes. Moving your hands too much. Using filler words frequently. Do any of these sound familiar? All of these are bad mannerisms that annoy the audience while you are speaking.
It’s distracting, and it detracts from your message. You can reduce your bad habits by filming your rehearsal and playing it back. You may also want to enlist a friend or colleague who can point out your bad mannerisms. Record yourself often in order to get rid of all of your bad habits.
4. Body Language
Public speaking is nerve-wracking. It’s normal to feel nervous. However, you don’t want everyone else to know you feel nervous because it will make everyone in the room feel uncomfortable. You have worked hard to purge your voice of nerves, but your body language might give you away regardless.
If you play with your clothes, shift your weight from foot to foot, move your hands a lot or pace, then these are all body language signs that suggest to the audience that you’re nervous. It takes them out of the message. First, figure out what nervous behaviors you rely on and practice purging them from your routine.
If you fidget with jewelry, don’t wear it! Smiling at your audience will make you appear confident. Rehearse enough so that you don’t rely on your notes. Never read from your slides, their purpose is to provide extra information. Don’t continually turn your back to the audience. Ensure you make regular eye contact with different people in the audience. Stand up straight!