This statement alone “Listen more than you speak” should conjure up people in your mind that simply do not listen to anything you have to say. It probably hurts a little bit when you think about it. These are people who are close to you, like family and friends, or have worked with you for some time. The irony is that you can get better treatment from strangers who are actually interested in what you think or have to say. The old saying “familiarity breeds contempt” is still alive and well in the area of communications. One would think it should be the opposite, but it is not.
I am talking about the people who never talk with you; they talk to you. They are incapable of true listening. There is not an authentic exchange of ideas or great conversation where they really hear you and you really hear them. It is actually just the opposite. They are not talking with you. They are talking to you, and if you have anything to contribute, then they are not interested because of the assumptions they have already made about you such as: you are not smart as they are or as interesting, so what could you really have to contribute to the conversation? Therefore, it is not that important for them to be talking to you unless you want to know something about them. Have I described you yet or someone you know? Let me continue, because this is important:
I am talking about people who are incapable of listening. They talk over you; they think they know more than you; or they simply cannot be told anything new or instructive, because they know it all. How about that? Did that do it? Am I on your street, or in the vicinity of where you live? Not listening or being willing to listen to others but speaking incessantly and not allowing others to talk is often indicative of an attitude of superiority. It is also demonstrated in their lack of attentiveness when you are speaking to them or their inability to look at you directly. They are constantly scanning the room and looking over you or to left or right of you, as if they are waiting for someone else to come along more important to talk to. If that is you, then STOP IT! STOP IT RIGHT NOW! You cannot experience long term success behaving that way; it is an impossibility. You may have bouts of success, but long term success is out of reach for you, because you cannot listen more than you speak.
Listening rather than speaking is vital. We all must acknowledge that we are not omniscience and that we can all learn something from others. While it may seem difficult to reign in the urge to cut someone off, we may learn more about the person and the topic of conversation if we let him or her speak. This is especially important in sales. Your number one priority in sales is to understand the needs of the client. In order to discover those needs of your clients, you must learn to ask questions and to listen before sharing your thoughts or information. The cardinal sin is to continually interrupt your client with your commentary and not let them fully express themselves to discover their needs. Do this and you will lose that client. This strategy applies to sales, marriage, friendship, and people in general. Learn to listen well, and you will become a better communicator.
Keeping your mouth shut in general and your ears open will serve you well on the road to success in any endeavor. You will listen to directions more avidly and follow them to the letter. People will see you as engaged in the conversation instead of tolerating the conversation. If you learn to listen, you will be better able to take direction or criticism which shows character and maturity. If people see you as a great listener and have a positive attitude toward you because you listen, opportunities will come to you in abundance and that will always lead to more success. We have the power to be great listeners in all interaction we have and that power is now.
Want to know more? Go to www.thepowerisnow.com and achieve your goals. Join the buyer’s and seller’s club for free to get free support, consultation and information from me and my team. If you would like to schedule a meeting online, then go to https://ericfrazier.youcanbook.me/ for more information. You have the power to change your life now because The Power Is Now.
Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA
President and CEO
Comments (2)Subscribe to CommentsComment