I was watching the managing director of a large company making a speech and I was reminded how we were constantly told at drama school to ‘centre’ ourselves. I realise now how valuable that was.
In acting terms, this meant to be physically and mentally focused and balanced. This was more difficult than it sounded, particularly when you were very nervous.
The MD I was watching was making a fairly good speech, but I was very distracted by his dancing around from foot to foot, and side shuffling. His body language was distracting from his message.It made him look a bit apprehensive and unfocused.
Learning to centre yourself is key to developing presence and to controlling nerves. Learning to breathe slowly and deeply combined with either standing still or deliberate movement, avoids the fidgeting that can take away from your presentational impact.
Have a look around at people who are ‘centred’ and notice the difference in their impact. Louis Walsh isn’t. Gary Barlow is. And I know who I would listen to should I be planning to start a career in the music industry…