SEIZING THE STAGE--STRUTTING WITH STYLE

For a few days, I'm in Stanford, California, bringing an experienced eye to a speech camp, suggesting alterations and assisting any way I can.

I haven't been to these parts in 20 years--and the hot days and cool nights are rather refreshing.

Last evening we were teaching our protégées how to walk up to the front of the room with style, confidence, and panache.

A few rules:

1. Sit straight in your chair, without fidgeting with anything. Look ready.
2. Rise slowly, taking the king's or queen's time.
3. Walk up confidently, carriage erect, always looking up, face smiling.
4. As you reach the front side of the room, begin to turn o the audience, smiling at them all the way until you get to the podium or center space.
5. Pause. Take in the audience. Smile with great control.
BEGIN.

The corresponding don't do rules:

1. Don't allow the audience to see you sit slouched or fidgeting.
2. Don't dart out of your chair.
3. Don't look a the floor and don't slouch as you walk up.
4. Don't have a worried or blank look as you walk.
5. Don't dart right to the center, showing the audience too much if your back.


LITTLE THINGS COUNT. AND HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF TO THE STAGE INSTANTLY DETERMINES HOW THE AUDIENCE PERCEIVES YOU: CONFIDENT OR NOT; HAPP TO BE SHARING OR NOT.