6 Ways to Look More Confident During a Presentation

As we are passing the halfway point of this semester, I have done great amounts of reflection on how I have improved since last semester. I have also thought about the areas on which I want to continue building on through the rest of this semester. As previously noted, I am a science major and tend to write many lab reports and work in labs with few people. As much as I enjoy cells and proteins, they do not give much feedback on my presentation skills. While I tend to lack in this area, it is still important for me to learn to effectively present information and speak publicly.

After giving our second class presentation, I have become more cognizant of non-verbal communication, or “body language.” This is a very widely studied area with a breadth of advice on how to grow this skill. I came across an article from the Harvard Business Review on how to improve presentation skills.

This article specifically talks about stance during a presentation or public talk. I struggle a lot with what to do with my hands during presentations. This article discusses “the box,” “holding a ball,” and “palms up” which I think may be some of the most efficient ways for me to actively use my hands effectively during a presentation. I believe the “palms up” approach is the best of these options, because it shows that you are open to opinions and conversation.

As I continue presenting in this class as well as for my research, I am going to work to incorporate these tips into my performance. I also believe rehearsing more prior to these presentations will be very helpful. At the end of April, I will be attending a national research conference. I am hopeful that being aware of my body language will help significantly improve my presentation.

If you are interested in reading this article refer to this link- https://hbr.org/2017/04/6-ways-to-look-more-confident-during-a-presentation