Part 2: Implementing effective eye contact
In the first part of this blog, I discussed the importance of eye contact in any form of communication. I will here share with you some tips on implementing effective eye contact without ‘over-doing it.’
- Eye contact is considered as one of the, if not the best, means of communication. By establishing effective eye contact, you are communicating that you are a good listener by expressing care and paying attention.
- When people talk or listen, they tend to detect quick and sudden movements. Hence, varied eye movements, especially during one-on-one conversations, reveals a lack of interest or boredom in the subject matter. Avoid consistently averting your eyes if you want an effective and productive conversation.
- The eyes say it all: they are a means of building a connection with someone and showing that you feel comfortable talking to them.
- Maintain eye contact with everyone in the room. Do not focus on just one or a few individuals when talking to a group as it will suggest that you are selective with whom you trust or who you want the message to reach.
- Don’t over-do it: in any form of communication, do not keep eye contact with a single person all the time. This will instil anxiety in them and may be perceived as staring.
- Build trust: practising appropriate eye contact will help you build trust with others, allowing them to deem you trustworthy, respectful, and sincere.
As per the old saying, practice makes perfect. When rehearsing for a speech, make use of your family and friends; consider them your audience. If you live alone, there are a couple of simple tricks you can employ:
- Practising in front of a mirror: don’t just stare at yourself; be sure to vary your eye movements onto selective items you previously established as ‘your’.
- Print faces onto objects in the room: this will allow you to practise your eye-contact without feeling anxious or nervous.
Body language and psychology are broad fields, and this blog is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for my upcoming blogs to uncover the secret communication of the body.
Antoine Boghos is Account Executive at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations, an independent PR agency headquartered in Dubai offering new-age public relations consultancy to the UAE and across the MENA region. | www.cbpr.me
