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an article on public speaking by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
Eye contact is an important way to emotionally connect with
your audience of any size. Here are some ideas to help you:
1. Generally speaking, the longer the eye contact between
two people, the greater the intimacy is developed. In a
business, sales and speech situation, look at members of
your audience for a thought, phrase or idea. If you are
sitting at a boardroom table, make sure you share eye
contact with everyone.
2. Others rarely interrupt two people engaged in a
conversation if they have consistent eye contact. Through
observing eye contact, others, well at least thoughtful
ones, can tell if it is okay to join in the conversation.
3. Pupils also enlarge when people are talking about things
that bring them joy or happiness. They often contract when
discussing issues that bring them sadness. In a conversation
at a networking or social event, I always like to ask
questions of interest to my conversation partner. It helps
add to their, "I enjoyed meeting that person," feeling.
4. Eye contact has been shown to be a significant factor in
the persuasion process. Practice across the dinner table
with your family or friends.
5. The longer your eye contact, the more self-esteem you are
perceived to have.
6. The more eye contact you can maintain, the higher self
esteem you actually rate yourself on! To be perceived as
more likable gives you an edge in business. Eye contact is
an important way to build this emotional bond and
likeability. Are your eyes clear or are they bloodshot?
Business contacts and audience members will notice, and the
clearer your eyes the more attractive you will be perceived.
If you wear sunglasses, get ready to take them off. People
want to see what they are getting. They want to see your
eyes.
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Patricia Fripp is an executive speech coach, sales presentation skills trainer, and award-winning keynote speaker.
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