How to Accept an Award on Stage: 10 Body Language Tips

It's awards season.

Colleagues of mine are flying all over Australia, and the world, receiving awards, and I'm MCing the Women in Banking and Finance Awards myself in September.

So, imagine my dismay this week when I was with a group of friends discussing what they were going to wear.

They were showing me the outfits, pretending it was the awards stage, but I wasn't looking at the outfits (not my thing professionally). I was watching how they planned to walk onto the stage.

Dear heavens.

Without realising it, perfectly impressive people were about to undermine their credibility before they even reached the person holding the trophy.

Miss Universe they ain't.

And let me be clear: this is not about looking fabulous simply to impress, although I am never going to object to fabulous.

It is about having your body under control when the spotlight is on you, because when your body feels controlled, you feel more controlled.

So, if an award might be heading your way, here are my ten tips.

1. Mindset

Firstly, be positive.

There is absolutely no point spending the evening imagining disaster. Panic has never improved anyone's walk.

Give yourself a simple positive mantra.

Mine?

"I love you."

Works every time.

2. Getting there

When your name is called, move.

Please.

There is nothing more painful than watching someone apparently begin an expedition across the Nullarbor before eventually arriving at the stage.

Know where you are going beforehand.

Then, when your name is called: go.

3. The stairs

The first moment we really begin watching you is often when you reach the stairs.

So have a look at them beforehand.

How many are there? Are they narrow? Steep? Wobbly? Is there a handrail?

If you need help, organise it before your name is called rather than discovering halfway up that your shoes and the staircase have entered into negotiations.

And, taking a leaf from the Obama handbook, keep your head up if it is safe to do so.

Yes, safety comes first. But you have more peripheral vision than you think.

Looking down also tends to collapse the body and the mind. Keep your head lifted, keep your perspective and keep moving forward.

Literally and psychologically.

4. Walking

Heavens above. Do we need to learn to walk again?

Apparently, yes.

If you cannot walk comfortably in heels, don't wear them.

And don't suddenly shorten your stride under pressure.

A tiny shuffling stride suggests tension through the body and, in my books, does not exactly scream expansive leadership.

And yes, this may be the pot calling the kettle black.

But this article isn't about me.

5. Arms

One of the strangest things that happens under stress is that we forget how arms work.

People clamp their elbows against their sides and flap their forearms around like distressed penguins.

Or they hold the arms stiffly away from the body as though approaching airport security.

Allow the arms to swing naturally from the shoulder and elbow. It is all about elbow movement.

It helps your breathing, releases tension and makes the whole body look more grounded.

6. Eyes

Do not look desperately towards the person holding the award like a drowning seabird that has finally spotted land.

There is an audience in the room.

Acknowledge them.

As you walk forward, look towards the furthest part of the room, sweep your gaze across the audience and then turn towards the person presenting the award.

You are not merely collecting an object.

You are having a moment with the room.

7. The handshake

For goodness' sake, don't turn completely away from the audience.

Keep the arm reasonably long and angle your body partly towards the room.

We want to see you.

The photographer wants to see you.

And, presumably, you would quite like photographic evidence that you actually won the thing.

8. Holding the award

Treat the award as though it matters.

If it is a statue or trophy, hold it proudly beside your head or slightly lower, where it can be clearly seen.

Do not dangle it awkwardly somewhere around your lower abdomen.

Do not hold it upside down.

And do not clutch it as though airport security has just asked where you got it.

Respect the award.

Hold it as though you treasure it

9. Walking offstage

Once the photograph is taken, the moment is no longer entirely about you.

Look towards your exit and get off efficiently.

This is not the time for an encore.

10. Practise

Seriously.

Practise these things before the event.

Walk into the coffee shop as though your name has just been called.

Practise keeping your head up.

Practise your stride.

Practise letting your arms move.

Then do it again.

My rule of thumb is simple:

If you have to think about it on the night, it is probably too late.

Practise until the behaviour belongs to you.

And if you haven't practised it enough to own it, forget the technique and simply enjoy yourself.

Because receiving an award is wonderful.

Congratulations to everyone who has put themselves forward, done the work and been brilliant enough to receive recognition.

You have earned your moment.

Now don't undermine it by walking onto the stage looking as though you have temporarily misplaced control of your limbs.

Love,

Dr Louise Mahler