What Your Eyes Tell Your Employees

Your eyes are the first things that “react” once a person deals with any environmental stimuli. Emotional communication is possible, as well as the expression of what a person feels. Some people say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In the workplace, you may also communicate with your employees, even without saying a word. Here are the different eye expressions and what they mean:

Widened Eyes

Generally, widened eyes are a reaction towards something unexpected, whether positively or negatively. But it may also mean that you are trying to signal an employee or coworker without the need to speak. Depending on the situation, this expression may be due to the following:

With raised eyebrows:

• You get shocked by something an employee said or did.
• You get startled.
• You are surprised by someone or something.

With furrowed eyebrows:

• You try to tell your employees to stop.
• You show your employees regarding their performance.

Eye Roll

Most of the time, an eye roll almost always means a negative connotation. Once your employees see this expression, it’s no brainer that you’re not in an excellent mood. An eye roll could be due to the following reasons:

• You are irritated at someone or something.
• You do it out of exhaustion, especially if with additional, unfinished tasks at hand.
• Your coworker cracks a joke, and you didn’t find it funny.

Frequent Blinking

The average number of blinks a person does in a minute is six to eight. Blinking more than eight times in a minute may signal your employees of the following:

• You might be nervous about something, be it a meeting or presentation with clients.
• You are agitated about something or someone.
• You are in deep thought, and you’re not paying attention to current events.
• You are trying to remember something important.
• You are bored and are trying to keep yourself awake.

In other situations, frequent blinking may also mean you have something in your eye, or you have an infection which keeps you from seeing clearly.

Squinted Eyes

When you squint, you partially close your eyes in an attempt to focus on something or someone. Squinting may also mean a lot of things, such as:

• You’re sending a signal to an employee that you are displeased (you either look straight at the person or not).
• You are trying to focus on something presented, or on someone in front of you.
• You are thinking of, or planning something (this is usually with a side glance and furrowed eyebrows).
• You are naturally reacting to sudden, intense light.

Eyes With A Side View Direction

Often, a side view glance may look like you’re thinking of something or trying to recall a situation or person. It may also mean one of the following:

With lifted eyebrows:

• A silent “signal” to someone beside you.
• You are questioning a thought.
• You are clueless or don’t know what to say.

With furrowed eyebrows:

• You are in deep thought, thinking of essential details.
• You are angry or frustrated.
• You are planning something.

A Head To Toe Glance

A character usually does a common expression seen in movies, a head to toe glance with a strong personality or an antagonist. In the corporate world, it’s also possible that bosses and coworkers do this glance. Some of the reasons are as follows:

• You are skeptical of a new employee, or a proposal given by your coworker.
• You openly express your dislike of someone.
• You are assessing an employee.

Winking

Winking is possible between two coworkers who may be close or are good friends. A playful gesture, this action is commonly misconstrued because winking to a coworker or employee can mean a lot of things, such as:

• You are trying to flirt with someone, especially if you’re not friends with the person.
• It can be a playful gesture toward a friend.
• You may have an inside joke with a coworker.

However, always wink with caution because not all employees are the same. Some might negatively take this and think wrongly of what you’re doing, no matter how harmless it is for you.

Looking Down/ Downward Eye Direction

A downward eye direction is something most employees notice, especially if it’s their boss or team leader. Here are the things your employees might think of when they see you with this particular expression:

• You are embarrassed or shy.
• You are sad or disappointed.
• You don’t want to talk to anyone as of the moment.
• You are shying away from a specific conversation or topic.

Looking Up/ Upward Eye Direction

An upward eye direction may mean a lot of things, especially when the action is sudden. Here are the most common reasons for this action:

• You are trying to remember something or someone.
• You got lost in a train of thought.
• You are in deep thought.

Blank Stare

A blank stare is typical for a lot of people which is caused by different stimuli or situations. Environmental, emotional, mental, or physical factors may contribute to someone staring blankly into space. Some examples are as follows:

• You find out about shocking news regarding a close friend or family members.
• You are tired from all the work.
• You are daydreaming.
• You suddenly think of something, and your mind drifts away.
• You are at a loss for words.

Staring Directly At Someone’s ‘Third Eye’

The ‘third eye’ is situated at the area above your nose and in between your eyebrows. Also known as the power stare or gaze, this action is expected from team leaders or bosses, especially when employees have poor performance or are presenting a report. Giving employees the power stare may send them the following messages:

• You are not pleased with their presentation.
• You are angry or disappointed.
• You have other things in mind, and you wish to discuss this later.
• You are pressuring them.
• You are intimidating your employees.

The power stare instantly changes the aura and atmosphere of the room. Unless you genuinely feel the same as the above mentioned, reserve this expression for future occasions. If you generally have fierce dark looking eyes, then a little bit of makeup and may be wearing contacts or eyeglasses can help you tone down your eyes. Check out TTDEYE for the latest in eye makeup and eyewear trends.