More Than Talk » CommTips #9: Eye Contact 101

Aug 19 08

CommTips #9: Eye Contact 101

By Renn Vara

Watching our Presidential candidates speak is driving me crazy. Do you mind if I go off a bit?

Content aside, I can’t believe their staffs aren’t emphasizing eye contact. This is presentation skills 101. So just in case someone knows someone who can do something about this, please pass on this advice:

When speaking to an audience, only talk to their eyes. Shut up all other times like when you’re referring to your notes.
When speaking to their eyes, stay with a single person until you get to a period, comma or transition before moving to another pair of eyes.
When moving from one pair to another, don’t talk.
When listening to someone ask you a question, keep your eyes on them. Don’t look away and don’t fiddle with your notes.
In the end, only talk when looking at real people and stop talking to yourself convinced you’re talking with real people.

I feel a hell of a lot better now. Thank you.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.