The Art of Listening!

LISTEN UP!

HOW TO LISTEN EFFECTIVELY

The amount of trust that is built up in a relationship has a lot to do with your listening skills. As realtors, we want our clients to feel we are truly listening and taking account of what they need help with.  We need to listen to what they are saying to accomplish this.

DEPOSITS: courtesy, kindness, honesty, keeping commitments, LISTENING

WITHDRAWALS: disrespect, bossiness, threatening,sarcasm,"just joking"

HOW TO LISTEN WELL:

Be quiet

Use your body language to let the person know you are there

Give an occasional "uh huh" or nod

Stay focused on the conversation. NO email, texting, getting up, doodling,etc.

Ask non-judgement question

i.e. "That's not clear to me. Will you say it again?"

Make a guess about a feeling!

Listening well, encore.

Restate some of what the person said

Try to pick up on the speaker's signals

Keep in mind that a person who is different than you and may be looking for something in a 'listener' than what you would want

You may not understand

Remember that most people just want someone to listen

MOST IMPROVABLE SKILL: LISTENING

WHEN LISTENING, TRY NOT TO...

.Judge or criticize

Ask excessive questions while he or she is talking

Offer advice or diagnose the 'problem'

Change the subject

Immediately tell your own experience

Think of what you will say while person is talking

Assume the speaker feels the same way as you would

Be Overly reassuring

Let's practice...

Spend a few minutes thinking about a problem you are trying or solve or a challenge you are trying to address

Be prepared to describe this situation in detail including both the situation and any potential solutions you are considering

The listener should do his or her best to apply skills just discussed

Switch roles after a few minutes. Everyone needs to practice.   It doesn't come easily to most.

What you are establishing is a trusting relationship which starts with listening.

We are here at Agent Rising to help you with some of these skills you may need.  Please visit our website to learn more at www.agentrising.com