78. People Assign Meaning to Your Face and Eye Movements

In the chapter “How People Listen and See,” there is a section on the fusiform face area, or FFA, which is a special part of the brain that pays attention to faces. Thanks to the FFA, your audience will also be unconsciously looking at and paying attention to your face. If you are speaking in a large auditorium, then your audience may not be able to see your face or eyes very well. But if you are speaking or presenting to a smaller group, where people can see and “read” your face, then it is important that you think about what they will see and about how your face and eye movements may affect your message.

Unconscious Facial Expressions

Have you ever watched a newscaster on TV closely? They always have a slight smile, even when they are announcing bad or sad news. This is something that does not come naturally, and it has to be practiced until it is somewhat automatic.

Try this exercise:

1. Prepare a few sentences from one of your presentations.

2. Memorize the words so you don’t have to look at anything to say the few sentences.

3. Say the sentences in front of a mirror as though you are giving your talk.

Unless you were telling a funny story, chances are that your expression in the mirror was quite somber.

It’s easy to forget that our faces show many expressions and that we might not be aware of them. When you are giving a presentation, you might be thinking hard and therefore tend to frown; or perhaps you get nervous, forget what comes next, and start to look panicked. Your audience will react to your facial expressions.

Many Facial Expressions Are Universal

Paul Ekman has been studying emotions in different geographies and cultures for many years. He has identified seven emotions that seem to be universal: joy, sadness, anger, contempt, surprise, disgust, and fear. If you are feeling any of these emotions, it may be hard to hide them, and your audience might become aware of your feelings. If you are speaking to a group that is culturally like you, then there may be even more than these seven that could be communicated and understood.

Some facial expressions and eye movements to watch out for are:

• Frequent blinking. Blinking a lot can be a sign of nervousness and can communicate that you are uncomfortable. It can also be interpreted as being attracted to someone.

• Direct eye gaze. When you look directly at someone during a conversation, you convey that you are interested and paying attention. This is why looking at your audience is so important. Staring for too long at one person, however, indicates that you are threatening them.

• Frequent eye shifting. When you constantly move your eyes, you communicate that you are nervous or lying.

• Chewing on your bottom lip or biting your lips. This conveys worry, insecurity, and fear.