Being a good listener is much more than just hearing what someone says. It’s about learning from the conversation, taking notes, and listening for deeper meaning behind what they say.
When you’re a good listener, you’re not only making sure you understand what’s being said, but also that you’re able to take away insights from the conversation.
This skill is one of the most valuable you can learn, but it’s also the most overlooked. This post is going to teach you how to listen, so you can become a better listener and understand more about your clients.
STEP 1: Find the Right Focus
To be a good listener, you need to find the right focus. The best way to do this is by asking the right questions. Start by asking the person a question that helps you find out what their goals and concerns are.
You can use questions like these to guide the conversation:
What is your biggest concern/goal?
What are you trying to accomplish today?
Who are you trying to reach with this project?
What are you looking for in a service provider?
STEP 2: Listen for Meaning Behind What They Say
After you’ve found the right focus, it’s time to start listening. The best way to do this is by following three rules:
Listen without judgement. We tend to judge people based on our own thoughts and beliefs, even when we don’t realize it. So the first thing you need to do is stop judging what people are saying.
Try to focus on the words, not the person. While this is easier said than done, it’s the key to becoming a good listener.
Listen to every word the person says. If you’re able to follow these three rules, then you’ll be able to hear everything they say.
STEP 3: Learn from What You Hear
As you’re listening to the person, you should be taking notes. This will help you remember key points, so you can use them later on to guide the conversation and find out more about your client. Thanks for reading!