Do You Really Know What You Are Saying?

Have you ever heard the expression the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing? Have you ever thought of how this saying applies to speaking? I know it seems like it would be a stretch, but surprisingly it's not. Think about it this way, your right hand in this case is the speech itself and the left is your body language. Still seem unclear? Allow me to explain. Body language is a powerful tool when speaking as it can either add to the speech and reaffirm what the speaker is conveying, or completely contradict the speaker.

Body language encompasses one's gestures, posture, and facial expressions. While some aspects of body language can be controlled and strategically used, others occur without any means of control. Take President Nixon's famous speech in which he proclaims that he is not a crook. His words are conveying one thing, but his body language conveys another. As he says these words, his head nods, contradicting himself. Body language can be controlled in some senses, but not in all cases. For Nixon according to body language analysts, it is his subconscious that causes the nod.



Although body language has the ability to reveal the truth, it can also greatly add and reiterate what a speaker is saying. Take a presidential debate for example. Body language experts break down whether or not a candidate's body language aligns with their words. In the 2012 election between Obama and Romney, a body language expert detailed the meaning of even foot placement within a town hall setting. She explains how having two feet firmly planted sends the message that you have both feet in the game, whereas one foot not planted can send the message that you are unsure and not ready to be completely committed.


Photos taken as snapshots from a Youtube video

So the question becomes, how does body language differentiate a good speaker from a great speaker. As seen in public figures each gesture and work must match in order to be deemed credible and trustworthy when it comes to public speaking as nonverbal communication accounts for roughly 95% of all communication. Just think, it's somewhat funny how you can be doing all of the right things and not realize your body just gave you away.

Comments

  1. Matthew MouckOctober 5, 2017 at 7:00 AM

    I never really considered body language when listening to a speech, but I think you are absolutely correct. Even when you're not actively concentrating on body language, you are unconsciously registering it. So although I said I never really considered it, I know that it influenced how I perceived the speaker and whether their words matched their actions. It definitely is one of those things that when it's pointed out to you, you suddenly become very aware of it and can't stop thinking about it. Especially with your last sentence, I am entirely aware of my body language now and I probably will be for the rest of the day....
    Great topic!

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  2. UnknownOctober 5, 2017 at 7:04 AM

    I think that body language is often looked over when analyzing a speech, and I'm glad that you brought it up. When the audience is listening to a speech, their eyes are usually fixated on the speaker. Therefore, many people don't realize that when they give a talk they have two separate ways to communicate their message - through their words and through their actions/body language. If these contradict each other, the audience may get a mixed message, but it these two match up it can strengthen the speaker's argument even further.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Charles RyanOctober 5, 2017 at 7:12 AM

    This post is really good. If speeches are about appealing to the audience and trying to inspire your message with them than you must exhibit the confidence in your message that you want them to take away. I think you are right about the question you propose in the last paragraph. My only critique of the post overall is that you did not answer it because I would like to know.

    ReplyDelete

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