The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

354 / TAKING CENTER STAGE

>>^ Placing papers high up on the

podium to reduce “head bobbing”

as you read

>> Sliding rather than turning pages

to reduce noise and distraction

>>^ Allowing the audience to respond;

pausing to acknowledge applause

or laughter if interrupted

>>^ Varying voice, tone, and pacing

throughout the speech

>>^ Testing and adjusting podium

height before beginning

>> Standing squarely balanced on

both feet at all times

>>^ Maintaining a “death grip”^

on the sides of the podium

>> Leaning on the podium

>>^ Tapping fingers on the podium^

or near the microphone

>>^ Allowing your voice to trail off^

at the ends of sentences

>>^ Turning your head away from^

a stationary microphone

>>^ Fiddling with pens, paper clips,^

or anything else on the podium

USING A PODIUM

Do’s Don’ts

Speaking from podiums

Speaker podiums give the presenter a

place to stand, room to place a hard

copy of the speech, and, sometimes,

a stationary microphone. However,

podiums can also pose problems. While

they do provide some comfort, they may

also create a physical barrier between

speaker and audience that is a challenge

to overcome. Even transparent podiums,

designed to mitigate this problem, still

force the speaker into a small, tightly

constrained space, making it difficult for

the audience to gauge their commitment

and belief in what is being said.

Working the room

To counteract the constraints of a

podium, exaggerate your gestures so you

can be seen clearly. Use a handheld or

lapel microphone to avoid obstructing

US_354-355_Succeeding_speeches_3.indd 354 30/05/16 3:06 pm