Mastering Body Language in Public Speaking and Elocution: How to Command the Room Without Saying a Word

We’ve all seen it — a speaker who hasn’t even spoken yet, and somehow, they already own the room. It’s not what they’re saying. It’s how they’re standing. The way they breathe. The confidence in their stillness or the deliberate pacing as they scan the audience.

Now contrast that with someone fidgeting behind a lectern, arms folded or hands in their pockets, swaying slightly as they rush through their points.

In public speaking and elocution, what your body says is just as important as what your voice delivers.

This blog dives into:

• Why body language is essential for compelling communication

• Common physical mistakes that weaken delivery

• Proven strategies to improve presence and impact

• Practical exercises to improve posture, gestures, and eye contact

• Real-world applications and motivation to help you build confidence

Why Body Language Matters in Public Speaking and Elocution

Body language accounts for a significant portion of how your message is received. According to research by psychologist Albert Mehrabian, 55% of communication is visual (body language), 38% is vocal (tone of voice), and just 7% is verbal (the actual words spoken).

In other words: your audience listens with their eyes first.

Strong body language can:

• Build trust and authority

• Reinforce your verbal message

• Engage attention non-verbally

• Signal confidence (even when nerves hit)

Poor body language can:

• Undermine credibility

• Distract from your message

• Suggest nervousness or disengagement

• Create a disconnect between words and tone

Common Pitfalls: What Speakers Get Wrong

Let’s meet Sara. A new team leader, she’s intelligent, articulate, and prepared for her first company-wide presentation. But as she begins to speak:

• She crosses her arms defensively

• Her eyes flick between the screen and her notes

• She avoids looking at the audience

• Her voice is strong — but her body whispers, “I’m not ready for this.”

Her message lands, but not with the weight or credibility she hoped for. The problem? Her non-verbal cues were working against her.

Three Core Elements of Effective Body Language

1. Posture and Presence

How you stand says everything. A confident posture conveys self-assurance, readiness, and calm.

Stand Like This:

• Feet shoulder-width apart

• Knees soft, not locked

• Spine upright but relaxed

• Arms by your sides or lightly engaged

Avoid:

• Slouching or hunching

• Leaning on one leg

• Arms crossed or hidden in pockets

• Shifting weight constantly

Pro Tip: Imagine a string lifting you gently from the crown of your head. This subtle adjustment can immediately improve posture and poise.

2. Gestures and Movement

Your hands can either distract or amplify your message. Purposeful gestures help clarify ideas, signal enthusiasm, and hold attention.

Use Gestures To:

• Emphasise key points (“This is important.”)

• Illustrate contrasts (“On the one hand… on the other…”)

• Count or list (“First, second, third…”)

Avoid:

• Over-gesturing or flailing

• Repetitive “washing machine” hand movements

• Pointing aggressively

• Clutching a pen or remote like a lifeline

Gesture Rule: Keep your hands in the “power box” — an area from your waist to your shoulders and extending slightly to the sides. This keeps gestures visible, controlled, and natural.

3. Eye Contact and Facial Expression

Your face is a powerful tool for connection. Eye contact builds trust. Facial expression reveals emotion. Together, they create presence.

Use Eye Contact To:

• Engage different audience members

• Create intimacy and inclusion

• Hold attention on important moments

Try This:

• Divide the room into three zones (left, centre, right)

• Make sustained eye contact (3–5 seconds) with individuals in each zone

• Don’t scan too quickly — let it settle

Facial Expression Matters Too:

• Smile genuinely when appropriate

• Look curious, serious, amused — whatever matches your message

• Avoid a frozen or neutral face

Practical Warm-Up Exercises for Body Language

Warming up your body helps reduce nervous tension and prepares your presence just like warming up your voice.

1. Grounding and Centring

• Stand with feet flat, shoulder-width apart.

• Close your eyes.

• Inhale slowly through your nose, exhale through your mouth.

• Feel your feet connect to the floor — rooted and calm.

This posture is your “neutral anchor” — return to it anytime you feel off balance.

2. Mirror Drill

• Stand in front of a mirror.

• Say your opening paragraph or key line.

• Observe your posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

• Adjust and repeat.

Bonus: record yourself and watch it back. You’ll see things you can’t feel internally.

3. Gesture Mapping

• Take your main points and assign a natural gesture to each.

• Practise delivering them while speaking aloud.

• Refine your movements to be fluid and purposeful.

This reduces “hand panic” and keeps your delivery visually aligned with your message.

4. Eye Contact Training

• Practise speaking to imaginary “audience members” in a triangle pattern: left, centre, right.

• Say a sentence to each one, making eye contact.

• Gradually increase the time you spend with each focal point.

This builds your tolerance for eye contact and helps you feel less exposed during real delivery.

Psychological Insight: Body Shapes Mind

Amy Cuddy’s research into “power poses” suggests that the way we hold our body influences our thoughts and confidence. Standing in an open, powerful pose before speaking can lower cortisol (stress hormone) and raise testosterone (confidence hormone).

Try standing tall, hands on hips or stretched wide, for two minutes before you present. You’ll feel more confident — and project that confidence.

Real-Life Example: Before and After

Tom, an engineer with great ideas, used to present with hunched shoulders, stiff hands, and darting eyes. Through coaching, he:

• Practised grounding and breathing

• Learnt to use gestures meaningfully

• Rehearsed maintaining soft but steady eye contact

The next time he spoke, his presence had transformed. His team listened — and they trusted him more.

It wasn’t just what he said. It was how he showed up.

How This Translates to Online Speaking

In a virtual setting, your face, hands, and eye-line become even more important.

• Look into the camera, not the screen, when making key points.

• Sit up straight with shoulders relaxed.

• Use expressive gestures in-frame.

• Keep your background tidy and neutral to support your presence.

Ready to Transform Your Presence?

You’ve now got the tools to elevate your physical presence — but knowing and doing are two different things.

In personalised coaching, I help you:

• Identify habits that hold you back

• Practise new techniques with real-time feedback

• Develop an authentic, natural presence

• Align your voice, face, and body for maximum impact

We don’t just work on what you say — we work on how the whole of you delivers the message.

Take the First Step Toward Commanding the Room

Your body is the first thing your audience sees — and the last thing they forget. When your body language supports your message, your credibility soars, your confidence rises, and your delivery becomes unforgettable.

Let’s work together to master the physical side of public speaking and elocution. Because great speakers don’t just speak — they inhabit their message.

Book your coaching session today, and let’s get you standing tall, speaking powerfully, and owning the room.