Spirit still prefers bid from Frontier Airlines over Jetblue
Spirit Airlines said Monday that it still supports Frontier Airlines’ $2.9 billion takeover bid for the airline, saying it was more likely to win regulatory approval than Jetblue’s competing $3.6 billion offer.
Spirit said antitrust regulators are unlikely to approve Jetblue’s offer because of Jetblue’s alliance with American Airlines in the Northeast, a deal that the Justice Department is suing to block.
“We struggle to understand how Jetblue can believe” that the Justice Department or a court would let Jetblue strike a deal with American, then buy Spirit, eliminating the nation’s largest low-cost airline, the Spirit board said in a letter to Jetblue directors.
Jetblue rejected Spirit’s view, especially after promising last week to make concessions designed to assure regulatory approval of its offer. Jetblue’s CEO seemed to raise the possibility of a hostile takeover bid.
Shares of Miramar, Fla.-based Spirit sank more than 8 percent in afternoon trading. New Yorkbased Jetblue’s stock gained 1 percent, while shares of Denver-based Frontier fell 4 percent.
Susan C. Young, in her book “The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-verbal Communication for Positive Impact,” writes: “One simple glance can convey to your recipient that you are ... present, interested, paying attention, being respectful, listening, confident, engaged, caring, dedicated, appreciative, emphatic, focused, supportive, trustworthy, acknowledging, excited. This list barely scratches the surface; however, it opens the conversation about how vital your eye contact is for making positive first impressions.”
Unfortunately, eye contact has become somewhat of a lost skill. Many people seem to be constantly looking down at their smartphone, even though individuals are right in front of them. You might need to disconnect to connect with people.
Making eye contact is a skill that can be learned. It might take a little practice, but it can have a significant impact on your work and personal life.
The first step is to just relax and smile. A smile generally puts others at ease. Everything seems much easier with a smile.
Next, practice eye contact with people you trust, such as family and friends, even pets. Use a mirror, or record yourself on your smartphone. Practicing will help you overcome nervousness and gain confidence.
No one said this is easy, so practice regularly to increase your comfort level. Over time, eye contact should become automatic, but you must challenge yourself to improve and push the boundaries to continue to grow.
Studies show that you should maintain eye contact twice as much when listening than when you are talking to show you are paying attention. People expect you to look them in the eyes, because if you don’t, they think you are rude. Also, lean in and show that you are interested.
Caution: Don’t overdo it! You don’t want to stare, so look away every once in a while — to the side, not up or down.
Pick a focal point near the eyes. Some suggestions are to look at only one eye, as I have done for years, or eyebrows, forehead, mouth or one ear. The important point is to shift your gaze. Be careful not to be robotic.
Remember that the other person may be feeling just as awkward. There is nothing wrong with putting a little space between you and the other person.
Observe the masters or role models like news anchors. When you are watching and listening to a speaker, observe their eye contact and make note of what works best.
In this era of video calls, eye contact is still important. I can’t tell you how many people look up or down during Zoom meetings. Put your laptop on a pile of books so the camera is directly across from your eyes. And one of my biggest complaints on Zoom calls is individuals who are always looking at their other devices. It’s fine if you want to check them occasionally, but be attentive to the people who are virtually in front of you.
According to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, good eye contact shows the intangible characteristic of integrity. In other words, when you’re telling the truth, good eye contact tells the other person that you are credible.
Mackay’s Moral: Looking into someone’s eyes changes the entire conversation.
▶ Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” Reach him at www.harveymackay.com, by email at harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at Mackaymitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.