The Intention Behind the Eyes

A couple of weeks ago I was heading downtown for a string of meetings when I became witness to how intention behind the eyes can tell a story.

Living in Toronto, you either have a car and embrace traffic at all hours or you get on your walking shoes and embrace the people traffic on public transit. We are a one-car family so I am of the latter. I love to people watch; to wonder where everyone are going; wonder if they are looking forward to their day or if they had a spat with their spouse on the way out the door.

Most times I climb on the subway, access karma to find a seat and get lost in a book. That day I sat across from young love. Although it could be argued that these two weren’t chronologically young, their love most certainly was. They sat and laughed playing footsy while their fingers danced in the palm of each other’s hands. It was sweet. I couldn’t look away, until I decided best I did before I creeped them out.

Within a few stops a women got on. She was beautiful. She was tall, well dressed and walked with a purpose. She quickly sat down in the same space as the couple. I looked at her. She had the kind of presence that made you look. She didn’t notice me; I’m sure she didn’t notice anyone. I quickly looked back at the couple. By this time the women had dropped her eyes to her knees. She was quiet and still.

The man slowly put his hand on her knee and she looked up. Although I am completely interpreting what happened next, I also know with absolute certainty I am right. He looked at her with a soft gaze as if to say “There is no one more beautiful than you and I never want to look away.”

She smiled and took his hand. Her expression showed an embarrassment for having thought he would have eyes for anyone else. She laughed to herself and put her head on his shoulder and the dance resumed.

We have always been told that communications is an exchange of information. Although that may be true, it is also an exchange of emotion; not only with family and friends but also with our colleagues at work and in the boardroom. The intention behind our eyes sends a silent message of comfort, confidence or intimidation. The key to this intention is being present and decisive about what message you are delivering and how you want others to feel as you’re speaking.

Make no mistake this isn’t just “soft stuff.” In my work coaching executives at every level I see how honest human moments of insecurity weaken a message, kill credibility and send the most confident into a tailspin. There is nothing wrong with having those honest moments. Yet, the reality is eye contact is our first connection; our first opportunity to make an impression and create a feeling. If we don't use these moments with clarity and intention, they become a series of lost opportunities.

In way of a public service announcement of sorts, I would like to introduce myself, Shoana Prasad and my company, Glenwood Consulting Group Inc., to everyone and anyone would cares to tune in. I am a communications consultant helping corporate clients find their presentation and communications style whether in one-on-one communications, in the boardroom or in formal presentations. I work with clients across all industries including finance, oil and gas, publishing, pharmaceutical, tobacco, packaged goods, entertainment etc. My work is to help my clients define their messages, understand their audiences and connect to never be forgotten.

I suppose in a less defined way, I see myself as a director of people, builder of confidence and cheerleader for the under-dog.

Glenwood Consulting Group Inc. offers three layers of counsel;

#1 Presentation training with groups and/or departments.

#2 One-on-One Executive Coaching which varies anywhere from helping nervous speakers find a new level of comfort, to linear thinkers who need to deliver meaning to a non-linear audience, to increasing executive presence in the boardroom, to a rehearsal with a CEO for a keynote address....and any number of countless scenarios in between.

#3 Executive Branding, which is a process I’ve created to help executives understand in concrete terms what their value-add is to become a more defined asset to their department, company and industry. Essentially, executive branding is similar to personal branding but specific to executives.

Welcome to my first blog post. I’ll share my love for all things communication. Although my work with clients is confidential and that is never compromised, there is always a bigger message or learning I can share in hopes it might help you too. To date the majority of my work is helping my clients find mastery in oral delivery. Now I understand my reach is much broader. The way each of us communicates isn’t just on the surface; it’s not just about controlling others perception of us; it has everything to do with our personal beliefs, our faith in our material and our ability to deliver it with sincerity and credibility. Thus, I have developed an Executive Branding process to help executives build their brand through communications.

I hope you pop in now and again. Send it along if you think others in your circles might find value in my posts. I’d appreciate that. 

All the best, 

Shoana