--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... I never look at my watch if I'm…" description: "\"... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone. I think that's such an insulting gesture! It suggests you're trying to gauge whether you thin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png" --- # ... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone… ![“... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone. I think that's such an insulting gesture! It suggests you're trying to gauge whether you think what they're saying is worth your time. Rushing is no way to bring out what's best in people, and I'm always looking for the best. That's what's…” quote by Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png) > “... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone. I think that's such an insulting gesture! It suggests you're trying to gauge whether you think what they're saying is worth your time. Rushing is no way to bring out what's best in people, and I'm always looking for the best. That's what's ultimately behind my determination to take my time.” [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing presence over time measurement shows respect; rushing signals that others' words are expendable. **In simple terms:** Give full attention, avoid watching the clock. Key Takeaway Value people, not minutes. Themes respect presence leadership Mood thoughtful encouraging Type advice reflective When to use this quote - meetings - coaching - mentoring - conflict resolution Key Concepts mindfulness communication time perception Questions to Reflect On - How does your attention affect others’ willingness to share? - What strategies help balance time limits with genuine presence? A Different Perspective May be impractical in fast‑paced environments where time constraints exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Gestures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gestures/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Worth your time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-your-time/) ## Related quotes > [It's hard to watch something go on and be talking at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/it-s-hard-to-watch-something-go-on-and-be-talking-at-the-same-time/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [Time was rushing around me like water around a big wet rock. The only difference is, I was not so durable as stones. Very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-erdrich/time-was-rushing-around-me-like-water-around-a-big-wet-rock-the-only/) [Louise Erdrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-erdrich/) > [Good things take time, rushing something can make it lose value & not work out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-things-take-time-rushing-something-can-make-it-lose-value-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the most insulting thing you can do to a director is to challenge when he or she is satisfied with your interpretation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/i-think-the-most-insulting-thing-you-can-do-to-a-director-is-to/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [“A true friend is not angry when you insult. Instead they think of more insulting words to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sphencer-perales/a-true-friend-is-not-angry-when-you-insult-instead-they-think-of-more/) Sphencer Perales > [When St. Teresa of Avila says, 'Our life in this world is like a night in a second class hotel' I agree with her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-muggeridge/when-st-teresa-of-avila-says-our-life-in-this-world-is-like-a-night/) [Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-muggeridge/) > [I think it's very insulting to say, 'White people don't understand.' What are you talking about? You're part of the problem then if you're...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/i-think-it-s-very-insulting-to-say-white-people-don-t-understand-what/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [In the end, I do think it's insulting to men and women to insist that they fit a certain profile. I never understood that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-lang/in-the-end-i-do-think-it-s-insulting-to-men-and-women-to-insist-that/) [Helmut Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-lang/) > [When you use God as an excuse to hate people and you use God as an excuse to cut people down, first of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-bush/when-you-use-god-as-an-excuse-to-hate-people-and-you-use-god-as-an/) [Sophia Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-bush/) > [Look at your watch now. You're still a super hot female.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/look-at-your-watch-now-you-re-still-a-super-hot-female/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [Did you ever look at your watch, and you look away... and you don't know what time it is?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/did-you-ever-look-at-your-watch-and-you-look-away-and-you-don-t-know/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I'm the kind of guy who, I need a watch that tells me what day it is. I need to know it's Friday on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-fillion/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-i-need-a-watch-that-tells-me-what-day-it-is-i/) [Nathan Fillion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-fillion/) > [The first thing I notice about a man are his shoes. Then I look at his watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frida-giannini/the-first-thing-i-notice-about-a-man-are-his-shoes-then-i-look-at-his/) [Frida Giannini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frida-giannini/) > [Parsifal - the kind of opera that starts at six o'clock and after it has been going three hours, you look at your watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-randolph/parsifal-the-kind-of-opera-that-starts-at-six-o-clock-and-after-it/) David Randolph > [TV news is what you want it to be, and if you want it to be different, take a look at what you watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-brown/tv-news-is-what-you-want-it-to-be-and-if-you-want-it-to-be-different/) [Aaron Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-brown/) ## More by Frances Hesselbein > [Not long after I was married, World War II began. My husband John volunteered for the Navy and was sent to Pensacola for training…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/not-long-after-i-was-married-world-war-ii-began-my-husband-john/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [... I try ... to use my own voice in a way that shows caring, respect, appreciation, and patience. Your voice, your language, help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-try-to-use-my-own-voice-in-a-way-that-shows-caring-respect/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [The leader builds dispersed and diverse leadership - distributing leadership to the outermost edges of the circle to unleash the power of shared responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/the-leader-builds-dispersed-and-diverse-leadership-distributing/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [Leadership is not a basket of tricks or strategies or skills that you pull out. Leadership begins with the quality of the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/leadership-is-not-a-basket-of-tricks-or-strategies-or-skills-that-you/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [If we are to remain mission focused, as we must be if we are to be relevant in an uncertain age, the abandoning those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/if-we-are-to-remain-mission-focused-as-we-must-be-if-we-are-to-be/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [It takes courage for a leader to identify and confront self-imposed barriers, to put in place the personal strategies required to unleash the energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/it-takes-courage-for-a-leader-to-identify-and-confront-self-imposed/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [There is just one reason that we are placed on this Earth. That reason is to love and be loved - in that order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/there-is-just-one-reason-that-we-are-placed-on-this-earth-that-reason/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [Communication is not saying something; communication is being heard,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/communication-is-not-saying-something-communication-is-being-heard/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [The Millennial mindset is one on the pulse of changing technology. They multi-task and enjoy a challenge. They need projects that utilize their knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/the-millennial-mindset-is-one-on-the-pulse-of-changing-technology/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [People know that pursuing a mission without achieving results is dispiriting; achieving results without a mission is meaningless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/people-know-that-pursuing-a-mission-without-achieving-results-is/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [No matter what business you're in, everyone in the organisation needs to know why](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/no-matter-what-business-you-re-in-everyone-in-the-organisation-needs/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [Key to the societal significance of tomorrow's leaders is the way they embrace the totality of leadership, not just including 'my organization' but reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/key-to-the-societal-significance-of-tomorrow-s-leaders-is-the-way/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [I feel passionately about how I express myself. Language is the greatest motivating force. You can phrase something positively and inspire people to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-feel-passionately-about-how-i-express-myself-language-is-the/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [The leader beyond the millennium will not be the leader who has learned the lessons of how to do it, with ledgers of 'hows'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/the-leader-beyond-the-millennium-will-not-be-the-leader-who-has/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [A single person doesn't change an organization, but culture and good people do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/a-single-person-doesn-t-change-an-organization-but-culture-and-good/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) [Explore all 79 Frances Hesselbein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) ## More Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone. I think that's such an insulting gesture! It suggests you're trying to gauge whether you think what they're saying is worth your time. Rushing is no way to bring out what's best in people, and I'm always looking for the best. That's what's ultimately behind my determination to take my time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frances Hesselbein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking-with-someone-i-think-that-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behinds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking-with-someone-i-think-that-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/frances-hesselbein-8660_behinds_i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking_357778.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“... I never look at my watch if I'm talking with someone. I think that's such an insulting gesture! It…” — Frances Hesselbein", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Frances Hesselbein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "... I never look at my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking-with-someone-i-think-that-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-never-look-at-my-watch-if-i-m-talking-with-someone-i-think-that-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```