Secrets of Schmoozing (or Subtle Sucking Up)

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some smoozers use and hurt other people. vulnerable people through the use of charm. so if you think someone is interested in you as a person think twice a smoozer is full of themself and only cares about themself.
beware.

acd of NY 9:15PM October 04, 2010

I don't think Schmoozing is something to be ashamed of. In fact, as the story stated at the end being sincere about is a good thing. I have always been sincere, I know what it takes to get the job done and believe it or not schmoozing is one of them. Don't be a jerk about it, you must truely put yourself out there. The way I have always looked at a job is you spend majority of your daily life there you might as well make the best of it. People don't understand that you put almost more time into your job than your family so you might as well make your job part of your family as well. I put more than 150% into my job so I am going to make the best of it. Schmoozing is part of it.

Steph of FL 2:53PM October 31, 2008

Several of you mention that only the weak or less qualified individuals are "schmoozers" but when working in an organization where your peers have similar credentials and are all 'eyeing' the corner office or promotion you do whatever it takes (within reason) to reach that goal.
Sure, once I get into my 40's I'll switch over to a 'coasting' mode and will focus more of my attention on my family. But for now, my goal is to grow my career as quickly as I grow my retirement account.

MG of GA 10:02PM April 30, 2008

Now entering the twilight of my years it is only very lately that I learned how important smoozing is and started to apply that skill. I wish that I had learned the importance of it all thiry-five years ago when I was entering the business world of getting ahead and getting along with others.

L Shapiro of IL 1:28PM April 29, 2008

in my country we call it ''eye service''. i never liked it and missed a lot because i did not practice it. In the real world, merit seems to have only about 20% of attention. Those the boss likes, he promotes and ''raises'' and my observation has shown that more than 80% of these ''benefactors'' are schmoozers. As much as i hate it, i have two options; if you can't beat them, join them. What a shame?

sly(Nigeria). of 7:57AM April 29, 2008

This is all bunk...I told my wife that too, just after I asked what was for dinner sweetheart, cutiepie, babydoll!
;-)

IVAN the terrible of CA 1:13AM April 29, 2008

The article is very interesting and unfortunately true. However, one comment here caught my attention more than the article, wherein one reader says its relationships. I personally would not have problem with people developing interpersonal relationships, but then again, unfortunately for some of us, it is usually the person having the least "work" skills (technical or otherwise), end up doing "interpersonal relationship" the best and ending up in top positions. And then it becomes a nightmare for the team or the person’s subordinates. There is nothing worse in a work environment to have a completely incompetent boss who is a charmer. These kinds of bosses would take your work, and present it in a light as if it was of their own. What a big shame.

HA of MO 12:50PM April 28, 2008

Regarding the article referring to the boss as "him," it is a rule of the English language that the male pronoun is used when referring to a person of unknown gender.
This is sexist, but it is correct grammar.

of IA 12:41PM April 28, 2008

"You may know the type, those people who spend more time in the boss's office chatting him up ...."
There are 10 bosses my head-office, seven of them are female. So, boss is not always male.

JD 12:00PM April 28, 2008

"You may know the type, those people who spend more time in the boss's office chatting him up..."
My boss is a female. Please take this into consideration in the future.

DK of NY 11:01AM April 28, 2008