Here's how you can give effective feedback on presenters' body language and nonverbal communication.

1 Observe Carefully

Observing a presenter's body language with an objective eye is the first step towards providing valuable feedback. Pay attention to their posture, eye contact, hand gestures, and facial expressions. These elements can reveal confidence, nervousness, or disengagement. It's important to note not just what presenters are doing with their body language but also the timing and context. For example, are they making eye contact when making an important point? Are their gestures enhancing their message or distracting from it? Your observations will form the basis of your feedback.

2 Be Specific

When giving feedback on nonverbal cues, specificity is crucial. Instead of saying "Your body language needs improvement," pinpoint exact moments where a change could enhance the presentation. For example, "When you discussed the quarterly results, your eye contact was strong, which underscored your confidence in the data." This specific feedback is more actionable than general comments because it gives the presenter a clear idea of what works well and what could be adjusted.

3 Use Positives

Start with positive observations to create a supportive environment for feedback. Highlighting what a presenter is doing right with their body language can build their confidence and make them more receptive to areas of improvement. For instance, complimenting their steady posture or effective use of hand gestures can reinforce good habits. Positive feedback also serves as a benchmark for what they should continue doing in future presentations.

4 Suggest Alternatives

When you identify areas for improvement, suggest alternative behaviors. Rather than simply pointing out what's not working, provide clear examples of how they might adjust their body language for better impact. If a presenter is avoiding eye contact, recommend techniques such as scanning the audience or focusing on friendly faces. If their movements seem stiff, suggest exercises to loosen up before speaking. Offering practical solutions helps presenters visualize and implement your advice.

5 Practice Together

Encourage presenters to practice their body language as part of their presentation rehearsal. Offer to observe a practice session and give real-time feedback. This hands-on approach allows presenters to immediately try out your suggestions and adjust accordingly. Practicing nonverbal communication skills in a safe environment can significantly improve a presenter's confidence and delivery during the actual presentation.

6 Follow Up

Finally, following up after the presentation can reinforce the feedback process. Discuss with the presenter what body language techniques they implemented and how they felt about the changes. This conversation can provide additional insights for both of you and establish a continuous loop of improvement for future presentations. Remember, feedback is an ongoing process, and consistent communication can lead to lasting growth in presentation skills.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?