DISQUS

Disruptive Thoughts: Fraser on Influence - The Importance of Making (Eye) Contact

  • Eric Olson · 3 years ago
    Right on Fraser! Eye contact is incredibly powerful because it puts humans in touch at the core. It sounds silly but it is true. I am at the point where I think it is strange if someone doesn't look me in the eye. It makes me wonder if I can trust them. I wonder how our culture got to the point where eye contact feels strange. At one point in time I am sure it was our best form of communication.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    That's a good question - how did we even get to the point where eye contact feels strange. I bet at one point it was the only form of effective communication. And I'm not talking about looking someone in the eye - most of us do that, to some extent. I'm talking about unflinching eye contact. Now that's powerful.
  • Eric Olson · 3 years ago
    Very true. Unflinching eye contact is incredibly powerful.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    muwahahahahahahaa (evil cackle) <--- seemed fitting with all of this talk about power and unflinching eye contact. And I guess it could be, as Tom found out. But boy have I enjoyed the positives that can be created.
  • Eric Olson · 3 years ago
    Right on Fraser! Eye contact is incredibly powerful because it puts humans in touch at the core. It sounds silly but it is true. I am at the point where I think it is strange if someone doesn't look me in the eye. It makes me wonder if I can trust them.

    I wonder how our culture got to the point where eye contact feels strange. At one point in time I am sure it was our best form of communication.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    That's a good question - how did we even get to the point where eye contact feels strange. I bet at one point it was the only form of effective communication.

    And I'm not talking about looking someone in the eye - most of us do that, to some extent. I'm talking about unflinching eye contact. Now that's powerful.
  • Eric Olson · 3 years ago
    Very true. Unflinching eye contact is incredibly powerful.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    muwahahahahahahaa (evil cackle) <--- seemed fitting with all of this talk about power and unflinching eye contact.

    And I guess it could be, as Tom found out. But boy have I enjoyed the positives that can be created.
  • candice · 3 years ago
    It's not just eye contact, it's having good posture and a confident stance, too. Walking into a room like you own it. In a lot of ways I'm really good at the "can I have that." I don't even need to ask for things much of the time.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Candice, you're absolutely right. Confidence is given by others to those who simply appear confident. A cycle that creates influence. Before this experiment I made eye contact. But now I make eeeeeeeye contact. There's a difference and it's way uncomfortable at first.
  • candice · 3 years ago
    It's not just eye contact, it's having good posture and a confident stance, too. Walking into a room like you own it.

    In a lot of ways I'm really good at the "can I have that." I don't even need to ask for things much of the time.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Candice, you're absolutely right. Confidence is given by others to those who simply appear confident. A cycle that creates influence.

    Before this experiment I made eye contact. But now I make eeeeeeeye contact. There's a difference and it's way uncomfortable at first.
  • candice · 3 years ago
    (One more good excuse to buy nice clothes, for the confidence part, at least.) Sometimes, though, you want to be approachable, rather than authoritative.
  • candice · 3 years ago
    (One more good excuse to buy nice clothes, for the confidence part, at least.)

    Sometimes, though, you want to be approachable, rather than authoritative.
  • Dean · 3 years ago
    The greatest power is the power you give away. Eye contact does not establish dominance, but conveys importance and power to all parties.
  • Dean · 3 years ago
    The greatest power is the power you give away. Eye contact does not establish dominance, but conveys importance and power to all parties.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Dean, love the thought in the first sentence. Candice, you're right - understanding the right time to leverage the right type of influence is critical. (oh, and nice new shoes - very confident looking :D)
  • candice · 3 years ago
    (Thanks! They are actually more shiny than they appear, it's just really difficult to get the mirror finish without it overpowering the pictures.)
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Dean, love the thought in the first sentence.

    Candice, you're right - understanding the right time to leverage the right type of influence is critical. (oh, and nice new shoes - very confident looking :D)
  • candice · 3 years ago
    (Thanks! They are actually more shiny than they appear, it's just really difficult to get the mirror finish without it overpowering the pictures.)
  • Derek Anderson · 3 years ago
    I have been told that my direct eye contact makes alot of people nervous. This is unfortunate, as I have no plans of stopping. It is the way I am.
  • Derek Anderson · 3 years ago
    I have been told that my direct eye contact makes alot of people nervous. This is unfortunate, as I have no plans of stopping. It is the way I am.
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Derek, welcome to the site. So long as the direct eye contact isn't done in an intimidating way I bet ppl actually will feel comfortable with it. (can I recommend Widgified for your sites name?)
  • Fraser · 3 years ago
    Derek, welcome to the site.

    So long as the direct eye contact isn't done in an intimidating way I bet ppl actually will feel comfortable with it.

    (can I recommend Widgified for your sites name?)
  • nick · 3 years ago
    Receiving prolonged eye contact will unconsciously ask the receiver to self evaluate. They are unable to read your thoughts and are therefore left with their own self concept. I hope all receivers feel good about themselves, the alternative is very unpleasant.
  • Juli · 2 years ago
    I'm not really good at the eye contact thing, but when other people hold my gaze, it feels so powerful. I can't help trusting people who look into my eyes when we're talking.
  • carl · 2 years ago
    Fantastic.I have eyes that find it very hard to focus.They feel like my muscles are very weak, ones behind the eye.I find it very hard to focus when i am tired, but i will try to maintain the focus.I know it is a wondreful gift we have and it is a shame not to use it