The Eyes Matter in Virtual Meetings

Jacqueline Farrington

Over 300 million virtual meetings happen daily and while eye contact can be difficult in person, in the virtual meeting world, it’s even harder, and that can prove problematic in interactions.

Questions people may have include: Do I look at my computer’s small camera the whole time, do I look at the screen, or will I look disinterested if I look down or if I look away because I'm taking notes?

"The main focus of your eyes needs to be looking into the camera,” says Jacqueline Farrington, communication and presentations coach, president of Farrington Partners and a former TEDx Seattle Senior Speaking Coach. Yet, there’s a reality, “But unlike trained actors, most people are uncomfortable looking into the eye of a camera.”

The Non-Obvious Guide to Better Presentations is a new book that Farrington has written, blending experience in the performing arts, vocal pedagogy, communications, psychology and organizational and executive coaching.

As to why specifically the eyes are so important when in virtual meetings and why is it uncomfortable psychologically to look into the camera as the norm, Farrington has answers.

“The eyes play a crucial role in virtual meetings as they provide essential cues that our brains rely on to gauge someone’s credibility, trustworthiness and intentions,” she says.

“Unlike in-person interactions where we can observe a person’s body language, gestures, posture, facial expressions and spatial relationships, virtual interactions limit us to a small thumbnail picture, missing out on up to 75% of these vital signals.”

That’s a significant loss of communication signals for which the brain to perceive, judge and make decisions.

Farrington talks about how we often react.

“Consequently, our focus shifts to the eyes, which become even more significant in establishing credibility, trust and engagement,” she says.

“In both live and virtual communications, the eyes communicate emotions and intent, but in virtual settings, they take center stage as a primary means of connection,” Farrington adds.

Maintaining eye contact and connection seems unnatural and Farrington agrees while also explaining exactly why that happens, providing an analogy of what that looks like.

“It can be uneasy to maintain eye contact with the camera during virtual meetings because we naturally want to gauge our audience’s reactions to our message,” she says. “However, in the virtual realm, looking at our audience’s videos is akin to averting our gaze or looking at the table or floor during in-person interactions.”

The truth is, “we must direct our attention to the camera, which effectively connects with our audience,” Farrington says.

This can be more easily accomplished by making three adjustments.

“Place a picture of someone supportive, like your partner or best friend, right next to the camera,” Farrington recommends. “This visual reminder will help you feel like you’re speaking directly to real people when looking into the camera.”

If you are in the habit of conducting rehearsals, “present to individuals ‘live’, if possible, to receive genuine reactions and feedback,” she says.

It can be helpful to strategically set up your screen to increase the odds of success for looking more into the camera.

“Adjust the layout so that the videos of your audience are positioned higher on your computer screen, as close to the camera as possible,” Farrington advises. “This way, when you glance at your audience, your eyes will still be elevated rather than looking downward. This simple change can make a significant difference in creating a sense of connection.”

There is a habit for some people that should be avoided, she points out, which is reading directly from a script.

“While notes can be helpful, reading directly from a script may lead to a lack of eye contact with the camera. Practice your material until you feel comfortable enough to refer to your notes briefly,” Farrington says, “allowing for more eye contact with your audience.”

There are some people who might, intentionally or not, go too far the other way and stare into the camera in a way that can come across as Farrington says, looking like a “serial murderer.”

This too, clearly, should be avoided.

“In virtual meetings, just as we do in live communications, it’s essential to avoid prolonged or constant eye contact,” Farrington says. “Such behavior can be perceived as aggressive, hostile, or even creepy.”

If this is a habit that has been and remains difficult to break, it can be overcome with some knowledge and practice.

“Encourage video participation,” Farrington says. “Encourage attendees to turn on their cameras if they feel comfortable doing so. 

“When you take a breath, take a break. Use that moment to break eye contact briefly. Glance down at your audience to gauge their reactions or glance at your notes to stay on track with your presentation. 

“Practice the ‘Triangle Technique.’ Imagine an inverted triangle on your screen, with the apex just above the camera. As you speak, shift your gaze between the camera, the audience’s videos and your notes or slides.

“This technique creates the illusion of eye contact and helps you maintain a more natural connection with your audience.

“Be mindful of your facial expressions: Your facial expressions are an essential part of nonverbal communication. Smile genuinely when appropriate and show interest in what your audience is saying by nodding or using other positive facial cues. Engaging facial expressions help convey warmth and enthusiasm, even in a virtual setting.

“Incorporate check-ins into your meeting. Pause and ask the audience for their feedback on what you've discussed. Encourage them to share their thoughts, feelings, or experiences through the chat or by unmuting themselves to contribute to the group discussion.

“Organize interactive activities such as running polls, quizzes or group brainstorms. These activities not only foster engagement but also provide opportunities to shift your focus away from constant eye contact,” Farrington says.

The benefits are worth it.

“By implementing these strategies,” she says, “you can maintain a natural rhythm in your virtual communication, ensuring that your interactions are more comfortable and engaging for both you and your audience.”

Most people may not think of positioning their monitor differently before a virtual meeting yet it’s a valuable, strategic step to consider. It’s smart, Farrington says, to make sure the camera is at eye level or slightly above.

“This ensures that when you look at your audience on the screen, it appears as if you are making direct eye contact with them,” she says.

“Prop up your laptop on a stack of books or adjust your external webcam so that it aligns with your eyes when you are sitting comfortably in front of your screen. Then, angle the camera slightly down. This moves your eyes slightly closer to the audience. Note (to consider): Angling the camera up moves your eyes further away from the audience and emphasizes your torso.”

Centering the webcam is helpful, placing it at the center of your screen, preferably at the top, she says, because “This helps create a more natural eye-to-eye connection when you look directly into the camera.

“Adjust the size and position of your video conferencing platform’s window so that it is near the top of your screen, closer to the camera. This allows you to maintain better eye contact while still being able to see your audience's reactions and important meeting information.”

“Disable Self-View, Farrington says. “Many video conferencing tools have a self-view feature that displays your own video feed. While it can be useful occasionally, staring at yourself too much can be distracting and hinder eye contact with others. Consider hiding or minimizing the self-view to focus on your audience.”

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Source: Jacqueline Farrington, communication and presentations coach, president of Farrington Partners and a former TEDx Seattle Senior Speaking Coach.

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