RETREATING
By Christopher Peck
Welcome back to the ‘Art Needs Art’ blog! Over the next three months we will dissect five physical habits that undermine the intention and value of Public Speakers. Visit my website every first and third Wednesday of the month to learn how certain body language decisions can obscure an otherwise effective presentation.
RETREATING
Imagine this: A presenter is speaking in front of a group of individuals. She is confident, charismatic, witty, and well-spoken. But something appears off. She subconsciously—or consciously—takes a step or two backward when she feels she is too close to the audience.
The decision makes sense. She does not want to encroach on her audience. Invading personal space can be uncomfortable for the speaker and her audience—especially in small speaking environments like a classroom or a meeting space. A large auditorium, complete with elevated stage, poses the hazardous and humiliating risk of falling into the audience.
A habitual cycle is formed: The speaker moves toward the audience, feels she is too close, and retreats away from the audience.
While the convention of this reverse movement might seem logical, it poses concerns regarding how it is perceived by the audience.
Let’s consider how society is conditioned to perceive “stepping backward” or “retreating”. What language or imagery resonates when you see an individual stepping backward, away from another person or group?
- Fear?
- Apprehension?
- Hesitation?
- Insecurity?
- Sulking?
- Trepidation?
- Loss of power?
- Loss of control?
As a professional stage director, I am accustomed to telling story through movement, gesture, and stage pictures. If I want to effectively demonstrate Power vs. Weakness, an excellent stage picture would be a powerful character advancing on a weak, retreating character.
When speakers retreat onstage, these negative perceptions filter through the audience. Despite her charisma and wit, the speaker is undermining her authority and confidence by utilizing an action communicating weakness and insecurity.
But her previous concerns are valid. She needs to use the space, and sometimes she needs to widen the distance between her and her audience.
What can she do instead?
Curved movements allow individuals to maintain forward motion, and momentum, while reintroducing distance. Consider the diagram below:
The curved “cross”—a theatre term meaning movement across the stage—allows the speaker to move forward in a powerful, advancing motion, even though she is creating distance with the audience. Keep in mind she is not stepping backward. The curved cross keeps the speaker's face visible to the audience while maintaining forward momentum. This movement reaffirms the speaker’s confidence and charisma, without promoting an audience perception of hesitation or insecurity—in both the speaker and her brand.
Practice the curved cross as a replacement for retreating in your next public presentation. It is more commanding, authoritative, and allows you to move through the space effortlessly.
If you found today’s blog informative and helpful, consider registering for “Communicate Your Value”. In this workshop, I equip business leaders with the skills necessary to activate their audience, control and effectively utilize body language, and develop vocal variety for a more engaging presentation.
If you are part of a business or organization wishing to empower their leaders with strong public speaking skills, I offer a 1-hour seminar, “The 4 ‘Knows’ of Effective Communication”. For more information, contact me at artneedsartllc@gmail.com.
Visit us again in two weeks to find out why shifting visual focus is shifting audiences away from your product.