Feb
14
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Why Can’t You Just Look Me In The Eye?

Screen shot 2010-02-14 at 6.52.40 AM

This has come up before, but let me share something.  I don’t ask for much from you.  Perhaps a referral.  Tell someone about this site.  An occasional Stumble or save to Delicious.  But not much else.

So, do me a favor.

Look me in the eye.  And do the same for everyone else in your network.

There’s a great scene from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.  Clint Eastwood stares down two other gunmen.  Competing for a few bags of cash.  Waiting for someone to make a move.  With everything on the line.

But, fortunate for you, networking is not at all like a gunfight.  And shifty-eyed is no way to build friendships.  With people who you need to meet and create an impression.

So next time you find yourself at a networking event or meet someone at a local coffee shop, do this.

Maintain eye contact.  It says you are listening.  And that your time right now is dedicated to learning about who they are.  And what is happening in their world.  Right now.

And if you get in to a three way conversation where you have to pay attention to two others, take a full drink of each person as they speak.  And then you can shift your eyes.

After all, no one is pointing a gun at you.

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Categories: Career Networking
  • http://twitter.com/kevinliebl/status/9102689993 Kevin Liebl

    Why Can’t You Just Look Me In The Eye?: This has come up before, but let me share something.  I don’t ask for much… http://bit.ly/bOAmB5

  • http://twitter.com/amasv/status/9103074547 AMASV

    #Careers #Marketing Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something.  … http://ow.ly/16zNGJ

  • http://twitter.com/helpmyresume/status/9103139208 Help My Resume

    Tim's #Job #Strategy Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something. … http://ow.ly/16zNtz

  • http://twitter.com/dgupta5150/status/9103139183 Deepak Gupta

    Tim's #Job #Strategy Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something. … http://ow.ly/16zNty

  • http://twitter.com/cadboss/status/9112223170 Terry Schultz

    RT @TimsStrategy: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? http://shar.es/mnVSQ. Very true and I practice it. http://myloc.me/3PpVA

  • Terry Schultz

    This is so very true Tim. I try to make sure I maintain eye contact anytime I’m speaking to someone or they are speaking to me. Thanks for the reminder.

  • Terry Schultz

    This is so very true Tim. I try to make sure I maintain eye contact anytime I’m speaking to someone or they are speaking to me. Thanks for the reminder.

  • Mark Thompson

    Eye contact may be important in western culture, especially America, but is not the case in many other cultures & countries.

  • Mark Thompson

    Eye contact may be important in western culture, especially America, but is not the case in many other cultures & countries.

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    Mark – Yes, a good reminder. Thanks!

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    Mark – Yes, a good reminder. Thanks!

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    Thanks Terry. Appreciate the retweet!

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    Thanks Terry. Appreciate the retweet!

  • http://twitter.com/thesocialexec/status/9101567061 Ryon Harms

    Member: Why Can’t You Just Look Me In The Eye?: This has come up before, but let me share somethi… http://bit.ly/bOAmB5 via @TimsStrategy

  • http://twitter.com/quixoting/status/9118304891 Tim Tyrell-Smith

    New From The Blog: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something.  I… http://ow.ly/16zWhC

  • http://twitter.com/timsstrategy/status/9118304978 Tim Tyrell-Smith

    New From The Blog: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something.  I… http://ow.ly/16zWhB

  • http://twitter.com/jim_horrell/status/9120058345 jim_horrell

    RT @TimsStrategy: New From The Blog: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? – This has come up before, but let me share something.  I… http://ow.ly/16zWhB

  • http://twitter.com/debra_feldman/status/9120581759 Debra Feldman

    RT @TimsStrategy: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? http://shar.es/mnVSQ

  • http://jimhorrell.wordpress.com Jim Horrell

    Hi Tim,

    Thanks for a quick reminder. I am planning on going to a networking event tomorrow evening (2-15-2010) so your advice is very timely for me.

    Thanks,

    Jim

  • http://jimhorrell.wordpress.com Jim Horrell

    Hi Tim,

    Thanks for a quick reminder. I am planning on going to a networking event tomorrow evening (2-15-2010) so your advice is very timely for me.

    Thanks,

    Jim

  • http://twitter.com/jfavreau/status/9131069371 Jfavreau

    RT @TimsStrategy: Why Can't You Just Look Me In The Eye? http://bit.ly/dfkHCS

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    No problem, Jim. Hope the event was a good one!

  • http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

    No problem, Jim. Hope the event was a good one!

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