Hi, how am I?

In a conversation, we can usually tell if we are being listened to. Most of us can recall those catch-ups or alumni meetings (or specific people), when we are asked how we’re doing just to open the talk for the other side and let them tell us how [awesome] they are. While we didn’t ask.

There’s little difference when you ask a client how things are going. Are you truly listening? For emotions behind their words, for their doubts and worries? Or the absence of all these?

Are you truly listening so that they are feeling they are being listened to? Or are you screening for a problem, waiting for a good moment to interrupt and offer your help? Your solution looking for a problem to solve.

In many decisions, arguments count, but the emotions count even more.

Listening is a skill, so it can be trained. As humans we are equipped with a sophisticated indication console, backed up by thousands of years of evolution. Intelligence is there, it just needs to be given attention. Like a muscle.

Start by observing, it’s the easiest first step. We all know how it feels to be the other side of the “hi how am I” conversation, and most likely, you don’t want your clients to feel that way.

#careercoaching #fridaythoughts