❌ Crossed arms – The international symbol of „Nope, not listening.” This posture makes you seem closed off, distant, or uninterested. This is a closed attitude and means that you are not positive about the person you are talking to.

✅ What to do instead – Keep your arms relaxed and use natural, open hand gestures to engage your audience.

❌ Hands behind your back – You either look like a medieval knight waiting for a title or a kid who just broke a vase and is hiding the evidence. Hands folded and behind the back indicate hidden intentions, a negative attitude towards the other person and dominance.

✅ What to do instead – The best solution is to maintain an open body posture. Keep your hands in front of you, always visible to the other person. Remember the rule: if your hands are not visible, you are not visible.

❌ Hands in pockets – A big no-no in most cultures. It screams boredom and arrogance. The best pocket rule? Keys, phone, or a tissue can go in—but your hands stay out.

✅ What to do instead – It’s simple! Keep your hands out of your pockets! Imagine there is a fire in your pockets that burns! Use your hands to emphasise what you are saying.

❌ One hand in pocket – This gesture also limits non-verbal communication and creates a psychological barrier.

✅ What to do instead – Let’s repeat the simple rule: if your hands are cold, buy some gloves. Leave the pockets alone and show your hands to the audience.

❌ The commanding index finger – During public appearances, it gives the impression of being bossy and even aggressive. Avoid this gesture if you don’t want to be perceived as apodictic, authoritarian and commanding.

✅ What to do instead – Use an open hand to gesture toward people or objects. A gentle, non-pointing hand creates a more inclusive, welcoming atmosphere.

❌ Crossed legs – When you stand and speak, crossed legs, like crossed arms, are a sign of a physical barrier. They are often perceived as a sign of closing oneself off to the other person, uncertainty or fear.

✅ What to do instead – Don’t cross your legs, it also helps with balance! Stand comfortably and calmly, and don’t shift from one foot to the other at a rate of several dozen times a minute, as this distracts the audience.

❌ Face, hair, glasses-touching – These gestures make you look nervous or unengaged, especially on camera. Rubbing your face while speaking? People might think you just realised you forgot to pay the electricity bill.

✅ What to do instead – Hands are for „talking”, not for constantly twirling your hair, scratching your face, touching your glasses or picking your nose. Keep your hands away from your face!

❌ Turning your back on the audience – Unless you’re showcasing a magic trick or an art piece, keep facing your crowd. It’s a basic rule of respect and connection.

✅ What to do instead – Always keep your face and torso facing the audience. Remember this especially when you have a slide presentation behind you. This is when we tend to turn our backs to the audience and read the presentation on the screen behind us.

❌ Hands under the table – The rule is back: they can’t see your hands, they can’t see you. You have something to hide.

✅ What to do instead – If you’re seated, always keep your hands visible on the table, not hidden like you’re plotting something suspicious.

❌ Clasped hands – Indicate a closed-off or defensive attitude, signalling reluctance or discomfort.

✅ What to do instead – Keep your hands open and relaxed, using natural gestures to appear more engaged and approachable.

❌ Fidgeting with objects – Clicking a pen, adjusting your watch, continuous movement of fingers or playing with your clothing makes you look distracted and nervous. It’s like telling your audience, „I’d rather be anywhere but here.”

✅ What to do instead – Keep objects like pens or watches still. Focus on your message and avoid unnecessary movements that can distract your audience. If you must hold something, keep it steady and purposeful.