1. WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

DO pay attention to where your hands are and what you’re doing with them.

DON’T stuff them in your pocket, run them through your hair, hide them behind
your back or clasp them together in front of you. Moreover, don’t scratch your head,
touch your face, put your hands on your hips or adjust your clothing with your hands. If
you use distracting hand gestures when public speaking, you will prevent your audience
from absorbing what you’re saying.

Instead, be purposeful with both of your hands. Let your audience see your hands —
don’t just keep them robotically at your side — and let your hands speak. For example:

 If you are talking about a big fish, move your hands far apart to illustrate just
how big that fish was.
 If you are comparing this year’s results with last year’s results — and profits
went up — move your hand in an upward motion to indicate this increase.
 If you are explaining two options, cup your left hand to help the audience “see”
option 1, and then contrast that by cupping your right hand to help the audience
“see” option 2.

While some people are used to “talking with their hands,” others are not. As you
rehearse your presentation, practice these kinds of deliberate movements with your
hands until they become smooth and spontaneous. Start to become conscious of your
hand gestures when public speaking so you can help your
audience understand, process and remember what you’re saying.

2. CAN YOUR AUDIENCE EVEN SEE YOUR HANDS?

DO keep your hands visible.

DON’T make your hands disappear. Otherwise, your audience will spend their time
trying to figure out where your hands are instead of what you are saying.

Case in point: I once attended an event with several speakers moving on and off stage.
One speaker emerged with a fashionable shawl wrapped snugly around her shoulders
and arms, right above her elbows. The shawl was certainly pretty, but as I looked closer,
something was not quite right. Once she was in the spotlight, both her arms and her
hands appeared to be missing!

I focused harder on the drape of the shawl and kept looking. After a few moments, it
was clear what was going on: Because she was clasping her hands so tightly behind her
back, her arms had completely "disappeared" from her shoulders with the shawl.
(Unfortunately, since my attention was so fixated on why she looked so uncomfortable
and wooden on stage, I do not remember anything she said.)

In general, your hands should “speak” to the audience in an area where they can be
easily seen: roughly from your shoulders to right above your hips. Both your arms and
your hands should remain visible to your audience. 
3. ARE YOUR HANDS MOVING YOUR MESSAGE FORWARD (OR BACKWARD)?

DO use your hands in a manner that conveys confidence.

DON’T wring your hands because that tells the audience (rightly or wrongly) that
you are nervous or worried and possibly unsure about what you are saying.

You can use your hands to confidently punctuate a definite point you are trying to make.
For example, if you are stating in no uncertain terms that “this is the truth,” use your
hands in a downward striking motion to nail your unwavering belief of that truth.

This technique is effective when used — but not overused. So reserve it for only the
most important couple of points or truths. If you punctuate every point you’re making
along the way, you’ll not only lose credibility but also begin to confuse or even bore
your audience.

4. ARE YOUR HAND GESTURES CONVINCING?

DO use your hands to convey emotion.

DON’T tell an emotional story and expect your audience to feel what you feel if
you allow your hands to remain stoically at your side.

For example, when sharing a story about someone who did something that touched
your heart, get the audience to feel that emotion by putting your hands on your heart as
you make that emotional point. Or, if you’re talking about a change that’s “very big and
very bold,” use your whole hands — and whole arms — to exaggerate that bigness and
boldness for all to see.

5. ARE YOUR HANDS SENDING THE RIGHT SIGNALS?

DO position your hands to send the right subtle message.

DON’T confuse your audience by sending the wrong subtle message with your

hands. Here’s a for-instance:

If you need the audience to like you, trust you and believe wholeheartedly that you have
an open mind about a topic, make sure these people see the palms of your hands. Why?
Because if you unintentionally show the audience the back of your hands, you’re
introducing a divide or a barrier that will subtly block them from believing that you
truly want to hear and consider what they have to say.

On the other hand, if you are absolutely certain about something — there is no room for
debate — be clear about that by “pressing” your palms in a subtle, downward motion as
you state that certainty. Palms that move downward mean “case closed” and send that
subtle but convincing message to the audience.

THINK IN ADVANCE ABOUT YOUR HAND GESTURES WHEN PUBLIC SPEAKING

Are you preparing now for an upcoming speaking engagement? If so, consider what
you’ll do with your hands. Half the battle is simply being aware that your hands can
speak and then thinking deliberately about precisely what you want your hands to say.

If you can use your hands in purposeful ways that enhance your message with
more meaning, you will more successful in winning over your audience the next
time you speak in public.