THE TOOLKIT
Lectern

First of all, given the choice, we don’t recommend using a lectern while speaking. Lecterns have a damaging affect on most presentations. People tend to use lecterns as a crutch. They lean on them, hide behind them, or “white knuckle” them. When you lean on the lectern, you are not standing in a comfortable, powerful position. You are likely to become too relaxed, and you don’t have as much of an impact on your audience. The second problem is that many people hide behind the lectern. As a result, your audience can’t see you. They can’t see any body movement, hand gestures, or facial expressions. Also, when people hide behind a lectern, they are more inclined to look down at their notes; therefore, hearing them is difficult, too. Finally, most people who use lecterns get the “white knuckle” syndrome. This is where you grab the front or the sides of the lectern so tightly that your knuckles literally turn white. When this happens, you don’t gesture and you don’t look confident. In general, using a lecturn is a large risk to your credibility. However, there are a few tips to using a lectern correctly.

APPROACHING THE LECTURN

1. Stand up and walk to the lectern.
2. Put down your notes. Put your hands in the “piano” position.
3. Look down at the first line of your notes. Pause. Look up and speak.

STEPPING AWAY FROM THE LECTURN

1. Leave your notes on the lectern. Take two steps to the left or right.
2. Keep your hands in the “HOF” (hands out front) position. Maintain the stance.

TIMES TO STEP AWAY FROM THE LECTURN

1. During the Attention-Grabber and the Conclusion.
2. During the Attention-Grabber and the Action Step.
3. During essential details that you are really trying to drive home.
4. During the questions and answers section.

** See the lectern as an opportunity to exercise authority, not as a barrier to hide behind. Research shows that an audience will give more authority quicker to a person associated near a lectern — you don’t need to be behind it.