Week 113: The Art of Eye Contact – #AlphaFemaleFriday

Week 113: The Art of Eye Contact – #AlphaFemaleFriday

“ WEEK 113 / 133 – 133 WEEKS TO SUCCESS “

When it comes to eye contact, how do we show that we’re paying attention versus boring into someone’s soul with your stare? Learn to get comfortable with it and it eventually comes naturally. Even when I’m meeting someone for the first time, I try to think about them as less of a stranger and more of a person that I’m just starting to get to know. We can become nervous when trying to navigating the oddities and particulars of a new person.

Conversely, when we know someone so well, such as the coworker or client we speak to all the time, we become anxious because of how much we respect our relationship with them. We seek to do everything in our power to get along with them. We don’t want to say or do anything to offend them or damage the relationship, especially with something as simple as eye contact. How do we find that balance?

Make it a point to look people in the eye when they’re talking to you, especially when the topic is serious or requires extra care and attention. Make it a point to look someone in the eye when you want to convey an important message to them. You don’t have to stare when someone is struggling to find words or when you’ve taken a break in your speech. Essentially use eye contact in the same way that you use hand gestures: use it, but don’t overdo it. People can tell when you’re being robotic and when you’re totally over the top with it. Be natural—it’s just another tool in our toolbox to build your relationships.

Cheers,

Kelly

@AlphaFemSociety tweets by @KellyRGonzales

About:

Each week, I take a tip from Lois P. Frankel’s book, Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office, and explore how each of these tips affect myself and other women in similar positions on the road to becoming the women we want to be. There are far and few between who are a few steps behind me, and many more who are far advanced. I found that Lois P. Frankel’s advice applied to novice, intermediates, and experts alike. It helped me see that I was already doing right, served as a reminder to keep on doing what I was doing and how to keep that momentum going. The book also showed me areas where I could improve, and gave realistic tips to jump on board. There are a total of 133 tips, and explore one tip per week in a program I call: 133 Weeks to Success.

Join the movement using the hashtag #133WeeksToSuccess with posts which are posted every #AlphaFemaleFriday.