“When you are talking you are only repeating what you already know. But, if you listen, you may learn something new.”
The Dalai Lama
Listening can be harder than talking but is an extremely effective strategy. Turn conversations to focus on the other person – ask good questions, be curious, find out who they are, ask what they want, don’t dominate the dialogue.
Being acknowledged, listened to and truly heard makes a difference to clients and competitors. You might even learn something that could be good for your business – market data, customer information, what the competition is doing or some other titbit that could make a real difference to you.
The person who speaks least is the person who benefits most. Most of us don’t do this; we tend to say the most, make the cleverest point, persuade others of our opinion, and speak the longest and the loudest.
So why should you talk less and listen more?
Knowledge is power. By talking you give away knowledge and may lose any leverage you have.
By listening you gain information. The less you say, the more the person you’re speaking to will share.
Listen actively, show that person that they have your attention and you understand them. Always hear people out and always let them finish.
When you do speak, people will want to hear you. Your words will hold more weight.
And of course, by talking less and listening more, you won’t reveal anything you’ll later regret. Once you have said something you can’t take it back!
Listening is a skill that needs cultivating. You will be better for it.
Your business will be better for it.
Regards,
Robin Martin
P.S. This article is part of my Secrets of Success series, aimed at helping business owners and entrepreneurs with some of the key components of business success. The insights I wish I’d had at the start of my business career. I hope that by passing on these little gems of knowledge I can give you some support and help you along the pathway to growth and prosperity.
