Tag Archives: Eye Contact

Great Questions

By Phil Stella | Published: October 1, 2018

Good to know you continue to like this short and simple feature for expanding your Workplace Presenter Tool Kits. So do I. On to this month’s questions … Read More »

More Questions. More Answers.

By Phil Stella | Published: August 6, 2018

And the beat goes on … readers continue indicating interest in this concise Q & A format for sharing simple Presentations Best Practices. This month, readers asked about stage fright, handouts vs. slides and eye contact.  Read More »

The Eyes Have It

By Phil Stella | Published: January 1, 2018

(‘Communicate Confidently!’ is off to a great start in 2018 by continuing our deep dive into those delivery skills that help mask Presentation Anxiety symptoms, while projecting confidence, credibility and competency. This month, we dive into Eye Contact.)

If I could only enhance one delivery skill with my executive coaching clients it would be to help them maximize their eye contact. Properly done, it produces several positive results for your audience and for you. Nothing says more about your credibility, power and confidence than what you do – and don’t do – with your eyes. Your eyes … the mirror of your soul. Everything else is a ‘B’ priority. Read More »

The Eyes Have It!

By Phil Stella | Published: October 6, 2015

If I only had time to teach my executive coaching clients one presentation delivery skill, it would be to maximize their eye contact. Properly done, it produces several positive results for both audiences and presenters. Nothing says more about credibility, power and confidence than what presenters do – and don’t do – with their eyes. Everything else is a ‘B’ priority. So, here’s your quick overview of why The Eyes Have it! Read More »

Random Eye Contact

By Phil Stella | Published: August 1, 2014

In my Presentation Skill training and coaching engagements, I regularly recommend holding eye contact on one person at a time for 8 – 10 seconds or to complete a thought. Then, moving to a new person in silence in a random pattern. After reading one of my articles on this topic, a reader asked why I recommend that technique. Read More »

Forget the Cheaters

By Phil Stella | Published: June 9, 2014

A reader recently asked a question about using speaker notes when delivering a presentation –  ‘I need to use reading glasses to see my notes and that makes it difficult to focus in on audience members’ eyes. Now what?’

My Answer – Simply create actual speaker notes instead of a copy of your outline, or worse, a verbatim text. Notes should be short and simple with a few key words.  Increase the font size to 18 point and make the text bold. You ought to be able to easily see them without your cheaters. Try to make the type large enough so you can even leave them on the table in front of you and still easily see them.

 

Keep an Eye on Them

By Phil Stella | Published: May 5, 2014

Nothing says more about your credibility, power and confidence as a presenter than what you do – and don’t do – with your eyes. Here’ are my responses to two very interesting recent reader questions about eye contact.

Question – ‘What if I look at someone in the audience who isn’t looking back at me? Then what do I do?’
Read More »

Make Your Delivery Noteworthy

By Phil Stella | Published: June 1, 2013

Seems hard to believe, but something as small and potentially insignificant as your speaker notes can make the difference between good presenters and great ones in the eyes of your audience. And, after all, their perception is your reality.

What follows is a collection of speaker notes Worst and Best Practices based on a combination of on-going professional research, personal practice, observing best-in-class presenters and coaching many workplace presenters. See how your use of notes compares to them.
Read More »

Engage Your Eyes

By Phil Stella | Published: January 1, 2013

If I only had time to teach my executive coaching clients one delivery skill, it would be to maximize their eye contact. Properly done, engaging your eyes produces several positive results for your audience … and for you. Nothing says more about your credibility, power and confidence than what you do – and don’t do – with your eyes. Everything else is a ‘B’ priority.

Read More »

Network With A Winning Smile

By Phil Stella | Published: August 31, 2012

Grandma was right. You do only get one chance to make a good first impression. When you’re networking, one goal should always be to make the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet. “Uncommon courtesy” is a key strategy throughout all your networking relationships. Often that relationship begins at a networking or professional association event by interacting with a winning smile.

Read More »