With which type of audience might you maintain less eye contact?

Maintaining less eye contact with an audience that is not showing interest is a strategic choice. When individuals exhibit a lack of engagement, such as looking away or not responding to prompts, maintaining extensive eye contact may not be productive. Excessive eye contact in such situations can sometimes be perceived as confrontational or may inadvertently draw attention to their disengagement, which could create discomfort. Conversely, reducing eye contact may allow you to redirect your focus to the more engaged individuals or to adjust your presentation style to reignite interest. Developing awareness of the audience's reactions and tailoring your eye contact accordingly can facilitate a more effective communication environment.

Engaged and attentive audiences typically respond well to eye contact as it fosters connection and conveys confidence. Audiences that frequently ask questions often require ongoing interaction and eye contact can support that dialogue. In a large group, maintaining eye contact is important to establish rapport, but it can also be challenging due to the size of the audience. Hence, the most appropriate strategy is to adjust eye contact based on the audience's level of interest and engagement.