Effective Executive Communication Principle #5 Look Here!

Maintain Appropriate Eye Contact

Another huge challenge many executives have when they are talking is that they look everywhere except at the people to whom they are speaking. Do not let that be you. When you avoid looking at people, they may subconsciously feel that you are not telling the truth. You are also more likely to lose their attention. Maintaining eye contact makes people feel like you are speaking to them personally rather than just speaking out loud.  We should maintain direct eye contact about 70-80% of the time.  If you start to feel awkward or uncomfortable, glance away and up, not down, and return to eye contact.  Your company will feel your interest and respond favorably.