To hide behind? To prop yourself up? To file your manuscript? Because the mic is there? Because the organizer put it there? Because that’s always the case? Because otherwise there is no place for the logo of the company? Because my glass of water is here? Because I can see the control monitor here? Because, because, because …

There are certainly many more reasons why you speak from behind a lectern. But there is only one argument against it:

You give away effect!

In other words, they reduce your resonance power. For fun, you will not give a speech, show a presentation. They will have a specific intention in doing so. So you want something from your audience.

When you hide behind a desk:

… your audience does not see you completely. In doing so, you are giving away body language impact. It’s about like cutting off part of your tongue.

… you’ll probably find yourself propped up at some point. This doesn’t look like someone who is trying hard. So you can also no longer talk with your hands. This is also about the same as cutting off part of your tongue.

If speeches are to be made behind a lectern, then please use a narrow lectern that does not obscure the person.

There are also excellent lecterns made of Plexiglas (even though the model in the picture is probably not giving a speech right now, she is clasping the lectern with her hands …).

And if you want to perfect your impact in speeches or presentations, read on here or contact me directly.