The Importance of Eye Contact

The subtle art of eye-contact

Perhaps one of the main reasons that eye contact is such an important part of communication is that it enables more subtle forms of communication. A brief glance can convey a vast range of emotions, from humour to anger. Being able to read eye contact successfully can be beneficial in your career, as it can be a telling insight into how someone is really feeling. Whether it is subtle or direct, eye contact is a key method of communication.

Why do we value eye contact?

Eye contact is very important in communication, but why? Experts believe that it is down to trust, as if someone is able to keep eye contact when we are speaking to them, it can indicate that we can trust them. Alternatively, if someone is lying, you may notice that they evade eye contact. Beyond this, eye contact is a crucial way to express respect. Eye contact demonstrates sincerity to your conversation, whereas if you are more busy glancing at your phone, the other person is unlikely to feel valued. Good eye contact shows that you are listening and engaging with what the other person has to say.

Demonstrate confidence

Experts reveal that eye contact is a key component of appearing confident. In the workplace, a person who is unable to make eye contact may miss out on opportunities for teamwork or leadership, as they may be understood as unconfident. Good eye contact, on the other hand, makes your presence known, and projects high self-esteem. This will encourage others to listen to you, and may even open doors, as you will be more able to demonstrate your capability and self-assurance in what you do.

Communication is everything

From babies, we learn to look into people’s eyes to understand what they are thinking and feeling. There is a reason why poker players often wear sunglasses during a game! Our eyes can reveal everything, even if the rest of our body language is controlled. Paying close attention to other people’s eyes can help you to communicate with them better, and understand what they are saying. Alike other forms of body language, eye movements are often coupled with verbal communication; be sure to pay attention to both when you are communicating with someone! Eye contact can also help us bond with others. We are more likely to use direct eye contact when we are in heightened emotional states, which can help us to communicate more effectively, express ourselves better, and become closer to others. Don’t underestimate the power of eye contact in creating meaningful bonds, in your professional and personal life!