Good communicators have several characteristics in common: they speak clearly and concisely, demonstrate empathy, and use open, encouraging body language. Good communicators also realize the power of good eye contact.
Eye contact is incredibly important, whether you're talking one-on-one or giving a speech in front of hundreds of people, Bill McGowan, a public speaking coach and consultant, tells CNBC. This skill helps you exude confidence and increases credibility and authenticity, especially in a professional context.
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Staring at the sky, wondering what to say, can make you look anxious and unsure, he adds.
“We break eye contact because we like to have the mental privacy to think about what we want to say, and looking at another person staring at us doesn't give us that privacy.” – says McGowan, author of “Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience”. “That's why we look at the pattern on the carpet or the tiles on the ceiling. We look anywhere to have that privacy of thought.”
However, this doesn't mean that you should constantly look someone in the eye during your next conversation or presentation – it could make you come across as a “robot”. It is important to sense the moment and find the “golden mean”.
See also: How to gain trust in a few minutes? A scientifically proven method that works
How to show self-confidence as an introvert?
“Shy and introverted people have more difficulty making eye contact than extroverts,” says McGowan. “But [można] improve eye contact in a way that still allows you to stay in your comfort zone.”
McGowan advises his more introverted clients to choose a point around the interviewee's eyes to look at to establish meaningful connections, especially if they are speaking to an audience.
“It could be an earring that someone is wearing. It could be a knot on a man's tie, or the top button of someone's shirt, or an earlobe,” he says. “Focus on this when you talk to them and it will give you as much privacy as you would have if you were staring at the ceiling and the floor.”
See also: 5 quick techniques to improve self-esteem. How to improve self-esteem?
The secret to effective presentation. This also works on Zoom
The same goes for meetings on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, which can be a challenge. McGowan even suggests printing out a photo of someone you feel comfortable with and sticking it to your computer, cutting out a hole for the webcam.
“The other person will never realize that you're not looking directly at them,” he says. “It's the virtual equivalent of eye contact.”
Source: CNBC
