While sharing important money facts, what special way of looking people in the eye builds trust and also helps you tell if they understand and how they feel?

The special way of looking people in the eye that builds trust and also helps you tell if they understand and how they feel is called Attentive and Intermittent Eye Contact. This approach involves maintaining direct eye contact with the person for several seconds, then briefly shifting your gaze away, perhaps to their forehead or nose, or to glance at notes, before re-establishing eye contact. This is not a fixed stare but a natural rhythm of engagement.

This balanced form of eye contact builds trust by signaling honesty, sincerity, and confidence. When you look someone in the eye in this attentive and intermittent manner, it shows you are fully present and focused on them, conveying respect for their presence and for what you are discussing. This active visual engagement demonstrates that you are truly listening and value the interaction, making the person feel heard and more likely to trust you with sensitive information, such as money facts.

To tell if they understand, attentive and intermittent eye contact allows you to observe their visual cues. When someone comprehends the information, their gaze often appears steady and focused, sometimes accompanied by subtle nods or an open, receptive expression around their eyes. Conversely, a lack of understanding might be indicated by their eyes darting away frequently, a blank or confused stare, or a slight furrowing of their brow combined with unfocused eyes. These observations provide immediate feedback on their comprehension.

To discern how they feel, this eye contact enables you to notice subtle expressions and changes in their eyes and surrounding facial muscles. For example, genuine interest or happiness can be seen in the slight crinkling at the corners of their eyes. Anxiety or discomfort might show as wider, more darting eyes or a tightening around the eyelids. Pupils might dilate when someone is highly interested or processing complex information. Observing these nuances during intermittent eye contact offers insight into their emotional state, helping you to respond with greater empathy and adjust your communication effectively.