The management zone

The imaginary box between shoulders and waist.

To achieve effective nonverbal communication, it is critical to delineate the physical space where hand gestures should occur.

There is a specific "power box" or operational area where gesticulation is natural and congruent for the audience.

This area is located, vertically, from waist height to the shoulder or neck line.

Keeping the hands within this quadrant ensures that movements are visible without being invasive or exaggerated. When the speaker gestures in this middle space, he or she conveys control and balance.

If the hands consistently fall below the waist, the projected image loses energy and vitality, giving a sense of apathy or disconnection.

Conversely, if gestures are made too high, naturalness is lost.

It is crucial to get into the habit of keeping the hands "floating" in this middle range, ready to emphasize an idea, instead of letting them fall inertly to the sides as if they were dead weights.

Why not cover the face or go below the waist?

The visibility of the face is non-negotiable in public speaking, since it is the main source of emotional information.

A common technical error is to raise the hands above the line of the shoulders, partially or totally hiding the speaker's face.

Interposing the hands in front of the mouth or eyes breaks the visual communication channel with the audience, generating a physical barrier that translates into a psychological barrier of distrust.

Similarly, gesturing below the waist is ineffective because the movements are outside the audience's primary field of vision, especially in large auditoriums or if the speaker is behind a lectern.

Low gesticulation is often instinctively associated with base instincts or lack of refinement.

Therefore, body discipline requires keeping the arms active and hands visible in the chest and abdominal area, ensuring that each movement complements the speech without sabotaging the facial connection.

Summary

Delineating the physical space for gestures between shoulders and waist is critical. This operating zone ensures visibility without being intrusive, projecting control and balance.

Gestures below the waist lose vitality and project apathy or disconnection. Very high movements detract from naturalness; the hands should always float in the middle range.

The face should never be covered as it is the main emotional source. High gestures block visual communication; low gesticulation is usually associated with lack of technical refinement.