?? The Sound of Success: How to Become a Top 1% Listener
?? David Asarnow ??
CEO at Business Nitrogen, and host of The Infinite Business Podcast
Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone is talking over each other, and no one is really listening?
It can be EXTREMELY frustrating and massively unproductive. But what if I told you that the smartest people in the room typically are the quietest ones?
As my grandfather always used to say, G-d gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason: To listen twice as much as we speak.
Which is exactly why we have a very meticulous and thorough client onboarding and intake process here at Business Nitrogen.
By actively listening to what our clients have to say, we are able to truly grasp what our clients are hoping to achieve and what the vision for the future looks like in their eyes.
Because at the end of the day, Our goal is not just to meet expectations, but to go above and beyond.?
That's right — The art of listening is a key factor in success, especially for Entrepreneurs. But first, let's define what we actually mean by "listening."
It's not just simply hearing what someone is saying, but actively engaging with the speaker, paying attention to nonverbal cues, and considering their perspective.?
This type of DEEP listening can help you understand the root of a problem, identify opportunities, and build stronger relationships with your clients, team members, and partners.
For example, I’m sure you know the saying: "the customer is always right?"?
And while we know that the customer is truly not always right, what the customer offers is introspection.?
In other words, by taking the time to truly listen to what your clients have to say, you open the door to a treasure trove of insights. Think of their words as gold nuggets — revealing their wants, needs, and desires.
By tapping into this wealth of information, you and your business can make informed decisions about your products or services, creating a highly optimized experience that will have them coming back for more.
(And remember… when your clients are happy, they are much more likely to stay loyal and recommend your company to others!)
But the benefits of listening don't stop there... Actively listening to your team can also bring HUGE benefits to your business.
Your team members are the ones on the front lines, interacting with your clients and handling all of the day-to-day operations.?
Therefore, they often have a wealth of knowledge about what's working and what's not, and by actively listening to their feedback, you can improve your processes and make your team members feel valued and heard.
And don’t even get me started on the importance of listening to your competitors…
Keeping an ear to the ground and paying attention to what they're doing can help you stay ahead of the curve and identify new opportunities for MASSIVE GROWTH!
So now the question is… how exactly do you become a super awesome listener?
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There are tons of ways to improve your active listening skills, but the #1 key is to be present and engaged with whoever is speaking.
For example…?
If you’re in a meeting, start by putting away your phone and other distractions so you can give your full attention to all of the attendees.
? No texting.
? No checking your email.
? And CERTAINLY no browsing Facebook for funny cat videos!?
Listen not just to the words they’re saying, but also to their body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues. This will help you understand the speaker on a deeper level and get a clearer picture of what they are trying to communicate.
(And to be 100% certain you understand what they’re trying to convey, don’t forget to ask clarifying questions!)?
This will show that you are interested and engaged, and it will help you get a better grasp of the situation as a whole.
Another effective way to practice deep listening is to try and see things from the speaker's perspective.?
Do your best to understand their point of view (even if you don't necessarily agree with it). This will help you build empathy and establish a stronger connection with the person you are speaking with.
Finally, it's important to SHOW the speaker that you are actively listening and paying attention.
This can be demonstrated through physical cues like nodding or making eye contact, and these gestures indicate that you are engaged and genuinely interested in what they have to say.?
Because when someone feels heard and validated, they are more likely to open up and share more information… leading to deeper and more productive conversations.
So, now that the art of deep listening has become a valuable tool in your arsenal as a successful Entrepreneur, it’s time to go out there and put it to good use!
The next time you're in a meeting or having a conversation with someone, make a conscious effort to put away distractions and listen deeply.
You never know what valuable information you might uncover (that you otherwise would’ve missed!)
To your success,?
David?
P.S. Imagine reaching your BEST Buyers using ONE?
proven strategy that has been averaging an over 30%?
open rate… WE’VE GOT IT.? Reply back with “Best
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Next Trend Realty LLC./wwwHar.com/Chester-Swanson/agent_cbswan
1 年Well said.