Here is an exercise to practice eye contact during active listening:
Exercise: Eye Contact in Active Listening
Find a practice partner: Ask a friend, colleague, or family member to participate in the exercise. Explain that you’re practicing making better eye contact during conversations.
Choose a simple topic: Ask your partner to talk about something simple, like their day or a recent experience. This allows you to focus on eye contact without worrying too much about the content.
Practice making eye contact:
Start with regular eye contact: Look your partner in the eyes as they begin speaking. Keep the eye contact natural and relaxed.
Use non-verbal signals: Blink and occasionally nod to show you’re listening, without staring.
Keep it relaxed: Occasionally glance away briefly, perhaps at their hands or the table, then return to eye contact. This helps keep the interaction natural.
Reflect after the conversation:
Ask your partner how it felt. Did they feel heard and comfortable?
Reflect on your experience: Was it difficult to maintain eye contact? Did it feel natural or awkward?
Repeat this exercise
Practice regularly with different people and topics to make eye contact feel more natural and comfortable during active listening.