Start by listening

Listening may be the most powerful tool in your whole connection toolbox.

“Listening is music to another’s heart. It is the unspoken melody of empathy, understanding, and connection; a heart language that requires no words.”  ~ Monte Taylor, author/consultant

The foundation of any business or personal relationship is listening. How can you possibly respond to the needs of your constituents—or spouse or friends or customers or prospects— if you don’t know what those needs are? And how can you find out what they are if you’re not listening?

Pay attention

There’s lazy listening—characterized by indifference and distractedness—and there’s what author Monte Taylor calls “fearless listening.” His chapter “The Habitude of Fearless Listening” is worth the entire price of his book The Power of Heart Language. It cites research, examples, and stories that will convince you that you are entirely capable of becoming a better listener and why you should make the effort.

Pay attention to every conversation, whether it’s person-to-person, on the phone, or through social media—even riding in a car with a friend or family member. Stop multi-tasking, playing online games, or reading. Really focus on the other person. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes when you arm yourself with the information and insight this provides.

The gift that gives back

And what a special gift you’ve given when you give the gift of your time and attention. You’ll never know how much more attractive and caring this will make you seem to others.

If you really want to connect with another person, always start by listening.

And if you’re in sales of any kind, it may be the first step to helping them find the other person’s missing puzzle piece.

“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When  we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”  ~ Karl Menninger, American psychiatrist

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If you’re interested in other connection tools that can boost your professional success, you might enjoy my monthly LinkedIn newsletter “The HEARTSPOKEN Connection.” 

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