Coach Haritosh Srivastav identifies three hand gesture mistakes that kill audience connection: holding a pen, keeping hands closed or clasped, and locking them behind your back. Instead, keep hands free at your sides and use gestures that support what you're saying.
3 hand gesture mistakes you should avoid while delivering a presentation. Number 1, using a pen. If you are delivering a presentation and continuously holding pen, that shows your lack of concentration. That shows that you are not there for the audience. Number 2, holding your hands like this and presenting. That shows you are not open to the ideas from the audience and you are not receptive enough. Number 3 is putting your hands behind and locking it. That shows that you believe you are in power, you are in charge, and you are putting your audience on a lower level than you. So what should you do? Keep your hands free, keep it on the side, and use it for functional gestures.
