Is It Better to Present Seated or Standing?

August 19, 2009 by Jerry 

seated_standing

You may be surprised to learn that presenting seated is better, for one very simple, but very powerful reason: when both the presenter and audience are seated and are at the same eye level, they share an empathic bond. When the presenter stands, the difference in eye levels creates a subtle psychological edge.

This differential is well-known in photography and cinematography. My ancient college textbook on basic camera techniques calls this “the principle of dominance,” that it defines thus:

                  A larger object dominates a smaller one, and a person higher in the picture tends to dominate one who
                  is lower down. Furthermore, if one is looking up at an object, it takes on a greater importance than the
                  viewer. We feel that we are figuratively as well as actually “looking up” to it. Conversely, if the camera
                  shoots down on someone, he is less important than we are.

In photography, a “high angle shot” which looks down on a subject and makes it appear weak, is called an “inferior angle.” Conversely, a “low angle shot” which looks up at a subject and makes it appear dominant, is called a “superior angle.” As a presenter, you want to be at the same level as your audience rather than dominant or subordinate to them.

Of course, all of this depends on the size of your audience, their line of sight to you and your projection screen, and the configuration of the space in which you present. The defining factor for presenting seated is to an audience of about six people; any more than that would make it difficult for you to make eye contact with everyone. And eye contact, the single most important factor in human communication, trumps even empathy.

However, in which presentation setting can you make the most impact? Standing before a large group where you are the only person with a microphone and interaction with your audience is limited; or seated with a small group—say four to six people—where the interaction during and after your presentation can move your proposal forward?

Whenever sight lines allow, present seated, be interactive, make eye contact, and do it at the same eye level as your audience.

(Thanks to Olivier Fontana of Microsoft for the suggestion. We welcome yours.)

Bookmark and Share

Filed under: Blogs, Delivery
Tagged:

Comments

One Response to “Is It Better to Present Seated or Standing?”

  1. Public Speaking Tips and Techniques [2009-08-29] on October 10th, 2009 10:29 am

    [...] Weissman explains why you might consider sitting down to present. [...] when both the presenter and audience are [...]

If you want to interact, please leave a comment...
and, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!