We humans are full of instincts, and one of the strongest is the instinct to survive. One of the ways we keep ourselves safe is by quietly guarding our own security zone, staying aware of exactly whom we let inside it. That zone varies from place to place, by the way. A French or Spanish sense of personal space is really quite different from a Scandinavian one. The zones below are the Scandinavian version.
Zone 1: three metres
As long as people stay outside this zone, we feel relatively safe. The moment they step inside it, we react, and our heart rate ticks up a little.
Zone 2: two metres
People standing around two metres away are people we feel no closer relationship to. Think of an estate agent, a tour guide, a car mechanic, or the stranger crowding you in the cashpoint queue.
Zone 3: 1.2 metres
When someone comes inside this zone, it hopefully means we feel a closer relationship with them. We trust them, and we are happy to let them stand this near. Usually these are people we meet again and again, the ones we can call friends and acquaintances, and, to some extent, salespeople.
Zone 4: 0.45 metres
This last zone is also known as the intimate zone, and we let in only the people we are truly close to: very good friends, our partner, certain relatives, our children.
Try it yourself
Take out a tape measure and lay it along the floor. Ask a friend to stand at zero, then slowly but steadily move towards them. When they say stop, look down and see which number you are standing on. That is where your zone begins.
What this means for you as a presenter
The thing to keep in mind at the front of a room is simple: do not stand too close to your listeners, and do not stand too far away either. Be aware, too, that some people use these zones in a negative way, deliberately stepping inside your space to create a little uncertainty in you. And remember that there are also people who, for various neurological reasons, do not have, or cannot respect, the personal space of others. A little awareness of all this goes a long way.
Want to become a better presenter?
This is a short piece from David's knowledge bank. To go deeper, the best places are a keynote, a course, or one to one coaching.