Sure, eye contact is important. but it’s almost impossible on Zoom.
1) When you look directly at others, you think you’re having good eye contact, but others experience you as looking down.
2) When you look up at your camera (the white dot, usually on top of the screen), you think you’re looking at a silly white dot, but others experience you as looking right at them.
3) When you watch your cat meander across your keyboard, no one cares about eye contact; they’re too busy with the cat.
Solution? Toggle between #1 and #2. (Good eye contact, even when you’re in the same room, is not continuous; go for 3-5 seconds.)
Sometimes I tape a picture of my wife near the camera, as a reminder to look up. My wife looks happy. Probably because she’s not on Zoom . . .
© Copyright 2021 Paul Hellman. All rights reserved.
P.S. Increase your impact—on Zoom or elsewhere. Consider for you, or your team:
1) Virtual workshop—I’ve been leading Dynamic Speaking, a four-session course for small teams. We practice how to get heard, get remembered, and get results.
2) Webinars—Let’s develop a few key skills. Sample webinars: Your Point?; The Power of Presence; Challenging Conversations; Bulletproof Feedback . . .
Click here for all 12 programs.
3) 1-1 Coaching—If you’d like to work privately, and have one or more upcoming messages/presentations, I’ll help you with design (what to say) and/or delivery (how to say it).
Click here for details.
P.P.S. Rather just read a book?
Check out the HarperCollins sale on You’ve Got 8 Seconds through 3/31 (kindle edition).
—Named one of the best biz books of the year by an obscure, but obviously brilliant, Canadian newspaper.
—Selected by a Fortune 50 company for their book club, translated into five languages, received a 4.3 Amazon rating (241 reviews), it’s available in print, kindle and audio.
To get these fast tips, click here
PAUL HELLMAN consults & speaks internationally on how to make your point—fast, focused, powerful.
Please email info@expresspotential.com or call 508-879-0934, or visit Express Potential for more info.
Paul consults & speaks internationally on how to make your point with maximum impact—in less time.