Have you ever been in an audience, either on Zoom or live and noticed that the presenter from time to time is pointing their finger at you? Don’t do it!
I’m Michelle Bowden, I’m an authority on persuasive presenting in business and welcome to, What Not To Do, a segment designed to help you get rid of all those annoying little habits that you’ve picked up as a business presenter.
Why shouldn’t you point your finger at the audience? Well, actually the pointed finger is known in presenting circles as Satir’s Blamer, and just as the name suggests, it’s blaming the audience.
What can you do instead?
If you’re passionate and the reason you’re poking your finger at people is because you’re feeling forceful about the matter, stay forceful, stay passionate, just open up your palm and pump with an open palm. This way you won’t find yourself pointing at anyone in the audience and threatening them without realizing it. Open your palm, don’t point your finger.
Happy presenting!
© Michelle Bowden 2020. Michelle Bowden is an authority on presentation & persuasion in business. Michelle is a CSP (the highest designation for speakers in the world), co-creator of the PRSI (a world-first psychometric indicator that tests your persuasiveness at work), best-selling internationally published author (Wiley), and a regular commentator in print, radio and online media. www.michellebowden.com.au