Chapter 42
Listening
Your most important responsibility during a conversation is to listen. For some people, it's also the most difficult part of the process. Listening requires focus, genuine interest, and a desire to want to hear and process what another person is saying. It also requires you to stop talking. Mastering listening skills will make creating dynamic conversations easier because you'll be able to pick up on small points, ask relevant questions, and take the dialogue in a new direction.
As you develop your conversational skills, make a conscious effort to become an excellent listener. The best advantage is that you will be a pleasant addition to any conversation. Good listeners are always welcomed—and needed. When you listen closely and purposely, you learn powerful information that is otherwise missed.
Most people like to hear themselves talk, so finding someone who will listen is quite refreshing. Pretending to listen won't separate you from your competition. Actually hearing and processing what a person has to say and then responding appropriately will.
A client once told me she was not a good listener. When I asked her why, she said she's usually not interested in what the other person is saying. It was a brutally honest and refreshing comment that reflects the reality of human nature. We only care about what we care about and we tend to shut out the rest.
Having your five favorite safe topics should help you maneuver a conversation to ensure the subject matter ...
