Dynamic Communication by Jill Schiefelbein

Author:Jill Schiefelbein
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781613083659
Publisher: Entrepreneur Press
Published: 2017-02-07T05:00:00+00:00

Eye Contact

Eye contact is the number-one conveyor of honesty in the United States. It’s said the eyes are the windows to the soul (gag), but when it comes down to it, we don’t trust people when we can’t see their eyes. Ever zoomed past an online dating profile because every picture had sunglasses? Me, too. What are you hiding?!

When it comes to public speaking, though, making and maintaining eye contact can be tough. Looking at a piece of paper is so much easier. You know why? Because the paper doesn’t have eyeballs staring back at you. The paper doesn’t judge.

But here’s the truth: You have no clue what your audience is thinking. Really.

And if you think you do, get off your ego trip and come back down to reality.

Of course we’d like to think that by making eye contact with our audience we have captivated the entire room. The reality is, though, that someone may be looking at you but thinking about the doughnut in the break room (or maybe that’s just me—I do love doughnuts).

If you’re scared of making eye contact, I get it. Really. But you need to do it. If it makes you nervous, here are some exercises to try until you can get it right.

Look at the top of the heads of people in your audience. Some say look at the shoes, but honestly, if you do that, you may end up looking at something that can get you in a lot of trouble. Don’t do that! Make “eye contact” by scanning the top of heads in the room. If you have a room of 25 plus, the only people who will realize you’re not making direct eye contact with them are the person you’re looking at and potentially the ones next to him.

Next, graduate to the forehead. You’re so close now! Get comfortable with the forehead and then make your way slowly to the eyes. It’s systematic desensitization. If you feel you’re an eye contact pro, watch yourself on video and see what side of the room you tend to favor more. Note that, and gradually start to adjust to even it out.

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