Imagine the photos that adorn the various surfaces of your home; those photos are probably displayed within frames of different shapes, sizes and materials. Now, have you ever considered how your choice of frame can change mood and message conveyed with your photo? Exhibits displayed below.

One frame exudes a feeling of modern moodiness and mystery; the other frame manifests a vintage vibe. In the same way a frame can influence how a photo is perceived, so too can our mannerisms influence how our presentation is perceived by others. Undoubtedly, we have all met passionate people who have sent us to sleep when talking about their passions. Not necessarily because the content was sleep-inducing , but because the way those people spoke didn't do their topic justice.

We may be passionate and have the best ideas or information in the world, but if we can’t present it in a succinct, relatable, engaging manner, then our audience misses out. If that's the case, what can we do to put ourselves in the best position? As you craft a presentation, or even communicate in the everyday, consider the following:

• TEMPO - the speed at which you speak
• BEATS - the change in volume and speed. Imagine a drum - it can heavily influence the mood that music exudes simply by changing the rate and depth of percussion
• ENUNCIATION - the oft-underrecognised reason why people struggle to convey ideas. Avoid being a mumbler.
• MOVEMENT - use the "stage" to your advantage. Occasional movement to and fro will help your presentation become more dynamic and engaging. Similarly, an appropriate amount of hand gestures can help you emphasise your points and provide a physical frame for your words
• EYE CONTACT - the first thing people think of when they want to make a good presentation. Remember that eye contact should be made to EVERYONE. Do slow scans of the room to ensure you are providing equal amounts of direct speaking time to different parts of the room

A great example of the above can be seen here in Simon Sinek's presentation on "Why good leaders make you feel safe".

Next time you do any form of speaking, remember that your frame is just as important as your picture.

Audilia Sujana