Starting with a self-evaluation of your body language is key. Watching recordings of your talks can reveal much about your non-verbal cues. Align your gestures and expressions with your message to avoid sending mixed signals. This self-awareness is crucial for improving your communication effectiveness.

If your body language isn't effectively conveying your message in public speaking, try practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to identify areas for improvement. Focus on maintaining good posture, making eye contact with your audience, using hand gestures to emphasize key points, and controlling nervous movements. You could also consider seeking feedback from a trusted friend or joining a public speaking group for additional support and guidance.

To enhance your body language in public speaking, start with honest self-assessment. Record your speeches and observe your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Check if they align with your message; incongruent cues can confuse your audience. For instance, if discussing a serious topic with a smile, it undermines credibility. Recognizing these disparities is crucial. Honest evaluation helps identify areas needing improvement, paving the way for effective communication. By aligning your body language with your message, you enhance audience engagement and convey your points more convincingly.

Seeking feedback is pivotal when your body language fails to convey your message effectively during public speaking. Trusted colleagues or mentors can offer invaluable insights into how your non-verbal cues are perceived, uncovering nuances like fidgeting, inadequate eye contact, or closed-off posture that may sabotage your speech's impact. Their observations provide an external perspective crucial for refining your presentation skills and enhancing your ability to connect with your audience. Embracing constructive criticism allows you to adjust and fine-tune your body language, ensuring that it complements your verbal message and strengthens your overall communication prowess.

Regular practice is crucial to refining body language in public speaking. Embrace mirroring exercises to mirror the emotions and attitudes you aim to convey. Practicing in front of a mirror offers valuable visual feedback, enabling adjustments for better alignment with your message. With consistent effort, you'll cultivate a natural and impactful repertoire of gestures and expressions, enhancing your ability to connect with your audience seamlessly.

While I value my colleagues' POV on this topic, it’s important to note that focusing and amplifying "body language" ideals in public speaking is incredibly ableist, inequitable, and un-inclusive. Many of these ideas only perpetuate harm, stereotypes and discriminating behaviors. Someone's ability, inability, or difficulty to express emotions through body language should never be a qualifier for Public Speakers (or any profession, for that matter!)