Eye contact is an important aspect of building trust and engaging the audience. However, people who are shy or nervous tend to have trouble making eye contact. If you're experiencing the same thing, here are a few things you can do so that you can look at other people with confidence.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Eye Contact
Step 1. Turn your head and shoulders towards the person looking at you
When interacting with other people, facing each other indicates that you are willing to listen, engage, and communicate. Keep a distance of 1-1, 5 meters from the other person to make it easier for you to make and maintain natural eye contact.
Step 2. Determine the focal point near the eye
Generally, this point is one of the eyes of the interlocutor, but if you're not comfortable looking at his eyes, look at the forehead between the eyebrows, the bridge of the nose, or the ear lobes.
Step 3. Give it a gentle look
Imagine that you are looking at a beautiful painting or landscape. In the same way, look at the interlocutor's eyes gently, but don't focus too much on him. Keep your gaze on and don't move. Keeping your gaze on while listening, breathe calmly, give a gentle gaze, and nod your head every now and then.
Step 4. Take a moment to shift your gaze every 5-15 seconds
Excessive eye contact will cause discomfort. After staring for a few seconds, take a moment to look elsewhere to make the conversation more relaxed and enjoyable. Do the following to avert your gaze:
- Laugh, nod, or give support to the interlocutor.
- Looking up at the sky or observing the weather.
- Looking to the side for a while as if remembering something.
- Rubbing hair with palms.
Method 2 of 3: Talking to the Audience
Step 1. Keep your eyes slightly above the audience's head
When speaking in front of a crowd, you won't be able to look everyone in the eye. Instead of staring at a specific person, keep your gaze 5-10 cm above the audience's head.
If you're on stage or standing in a crowd, keep your eyes on the audience without focusing on a specific person
Step 2. Avert your eyes every few sentences
Don't keep staring in one direction while you're talking, switch in another direction every now and then. Look in each direction once or twice to make everyone present feel cared for.
Step 3. Also, you can choose 4-5 people to make eye contact
This is especially helpful if you know a few people from your audience and feel comfortable talking to them. For example: when giving a presentation in front of the class, shift your gaze from one person to another person you know every 10-15 seconds.
Step 4. Take turns looking at each person in the small group
Group members will lose interest or feel ignored if you only stare at one person while speaking. Instead, make eye contact with each person for 5-10 seconds before moving on to the next person in a gentle motion.
This method should be used for groups of 3-5 people
Step 5. Make focused eye contact when someone is speaking in a group
That way, he knows that you're paying attention, listening, and care about what he has to say. Often times, the person speaking won't stare at you long enough to avoid feeling awkward.
Method 3 of 3: Practice Making Good Eye Contact
Step 1. Try to make eye contact in a proper way
If you're not ready, don't force yourself to stare at other people. Do it gradually while reminding yourself to make eye contact every time you have a conversation.
Learning to make eye contact while listening is easier than while speaking
Step 2. Look at the other person's face to make eye contact more natural
During the conversation, nod your head every now and then and smile when appropriate, looking alternately at his eyes, nose, and mouth. When speaking, you don't need to make eye contact all the time, for example by changing your facial expression or looking elsewhere to keep the other person's attention on you.
Step 3. Practice with the help of a TV, camera or mirror
If you're not ready to stare at other people, use an image on a screen or mirror to practice. Make eye contact with every performer who appears on a TV show or video. Start making eye contact with a newsreader who is always looking directly at the camera so that you will feel more comfortable practicing at home.
Step 4. Know the importance of making eye contact
In everyday life, eye contact can show trust, dependability, and openness that play an important role in achieving success when you do the following activities:
- Job interview: Good eye contact is a way of telling the interviewer that you are worthy of trust. When speaking, look him in the eye to show that you understand what he is saying.
- Dating: eye contact brings your relationship closer, but it's a bit difficult to take your eyes off when you're both chatting. Stare at your date longer than usual to show that you like him.
- Debate: a sharp gaze symbolizes firmness and strength. Keep your opponent's eyes in the debate longer so you don't sound weak or lack self-confidence.
Tips
-
Be the person who self-confident!
Confidence makes it easier for you to make eye contact.
- The more you practice, the better the results! Start practicing making eye contact with those closest to you to get used to it. Ask a parent or sibling for help.
- Do not push yourself! When making normal eye contact, usually we will look into the eyes of the interlocutor 30% of the total time we communicate and the rest we will look the other way. We can use eye contact up to 60% to show interest or aggression.
- You seem willing to pay attention and listen by making eye contact.
