I once did a virtual interview where the host barely looked at me. Sometimes people look at the screen instead of directly into the camera, which is understandable. But in this case, it was clear he wasn’t paying attention to his guest (me). His eyes kept darting down at his notes, then off to the side. At one point, I wondered if he was already preparing for the next guest…or maybe even checking texts or email. Can you imagine?
If you’ve ever experienced this, it’s disorienting. You’re giving your best, showing up with energy, and the person in the little square in front of you looks…somewhere else.
Once I realized the host was probably going to be distracted throughout the interview, I shifted. I sat up a little straighter, focused my energy, and spoke as though I was talking directly to that one person who needed to hear it most. And that changed everything. Later, I received messages from people who had listened and loved the interview.
The host may have been distracted, but the audience was paying attention.
Bottom line
If you ever find yourself with a host who is distracted and barely looks at you, remember this: Don’t be thrown off by someone else’s behavior. Always remember you’re speaking to the audience. They’re the ones who matter most.
P.S. Even if the host doesn’t have eyes for you, the audience does.
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