TweetA staring contest may help you get your way. You can exude more confidence in social settings by looking friends and opponents directly in the eye—and holding that gaze—according to new research in the journal Psychological Science.
In the study, researchers at the University of Utrecht asked volunteers to look at a computer screen that displayed 90 images of angry, happy, or neutral faces one at a time. Sensitive eye tracking monitors found that people with more dominant personalities—as determined by a questionnaire—locked their gaze on angry faces longer than on other faces. “The stare-down is a reflexive action for dominant people,” says lead author David Terburg, Ph.D.
It’s an evolutionary thing, Terburg explains. When you break eye contact, your attention shifts away, making you more vulnerable. But holding a stare means you’re ready to take on a fight, projecting assertiveness and confidence. That can come in handy when you need to gain the upper hand—like during a job interview or when you’re arguing with a friend.
If you’re a shy guy, though, staring can make you even more nervous—or feel outright creepy. So here’s your move: To feign confidence, look between the eyes of the person who intimidates you, Terburg says—it’s just one way you can Be More Powerful in Your Career.