Sacred Cow #2: It’s OK If I Sit Over There…
Public speaking can be terrifying. Many fear standing up and speaking before an audience more frightening than even death itself. Many people in my neck of the woods, and I'm sure yours too, make the conscious decision to speak sitting at the conference table as a way of coping with that fear. Sure, it could be out of laziness, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it's the former. In many circles, sitting while delivering a presentation is accepted practice. In some, it's the standard. The belief that this is perfectly fine is one of those pesky sacred cows and the 2nd on my list to be sent to the slaughter house.
The thing is, our presentation is what we're saying. At that point in the meeting schedule, what we're saying is the focus. If you're not using slides, then you're giving the audience the impression that what you've got to say isn't all that important. Standing in front of your audience suggests that you and/or what you're saying is important enough for people to pay attention to you. When you were young, how much authority did teachers who lectured from their desk appear to have? Contrast that with teachers who stood before the class where they had a good view of every student.
If you are using slides, then not standing up in front with your slides shortchanges your presentation, your visuals (the slides), or both. If you are physically separated from your slides, then you're forcing the audience to split their attention between you and your visuals. Your audience will likely take the path of least resistance and either focus on you or your slides. The few that bounce back and forth will find themselves missing out on information along the way as they are constantly changing the focus of their attention.
If it's fear that is making it difficult for you to stand in front of your audience and by your slides (if you're using them), be sure to get plenty of practice before showtime. You might want to consider joining your local Toastmasters club.
Image credit: Amy Kearns, used under a Creative Commons license.
