Use this pratical gesture technique to drive home a point

At a recent sales presentation workshop I coached a participant to use a paperclip to help her make a firm, hand gesture, in order to support her spoken messages.

Here’s how the technique works. Simply hold a paper clip between the thumb and index finger of one of your hands. When you speak a strong point/statement extend this ‘paper clip hand gesture’ directly in front of your body. The gesture will increase the impact of the point/statement.

The worth of this technique is that:

1. You can use the gesture without the other person/audience observing the paper clip.
2. The paper clip can serve as an aid to help you gain comfort with the gesture. (for the less confident among you, it can also serve as an aid to give you more confidence. That is, through having something to hold on to).
3. After repeated use of the gesture stop using the actual paper clip. That is, just imagine that you’re holding the clip when you make the gesture.

The ‘how to apply’ for this post: In the next seven days, get a paper clip and practice the thumb to index finger gesture in safe interactions, meetings and presentations. Reflect on the impact of using the technique.