by Ed Barks

Your audience is keeping an eagle eye on you as you speak. Yes, they are listening to your words. But they are also soaking up every gesture and vocal change you display. How important are these nonverbal cues?

To better answer that question, let’s examine the story from a different angle. Imagine yourself not as the speaker, but as an audience member.

The Deadly Drone vs. the Shining Star
Picture in your mind the times you have attended presentations and couldn’t wait to escape the room. The speaker may have been a world renowned expert in his topic with top notch content. But he stood still in the dark while using slides as a crutch. Or spoke in a monotone. Or avoided all eye contact with the audience. Neglecting to utilize critical nonverbal communication methods, he soon lulled everyone to sleep.

Now, consider a brighter scene, one in which you witnessed a mesmerizing speaker. He shared not only fascinating insights, but did so in an engaging manner by utilizing his nonverbal skills masterfully. If you looked around the room, you likely saw your fellow audience members on the edges of their seats, paying rapt attention.

Why does this matter? Consider these organizational and career benefits:

• A healthier bottom line
• A shinier brand
• An increase in sales
• A better job

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