Listen to people intently without any electronic devices
Summary
- Looking at an electronic device immediately makes people think we are not interested in them.
Details
- If you must take notes, take paper notes. inform the person why you are taking notes.
- Even looking at a smart watch instantly loses the person
References
Quotes
To listen intently, make sure you leave the technology in the car or at least in another room. I’m old school—I bring a pad of paper and a pen to take notes. I do not, under any circumstances, use an electronic device in front of clients. That includes cell phones, tablets, smart watches, and headphones with music. If I divert my attention every few minutes to check my email or look at an incoming text message, my clients sense my lack of interest. If you must have your device with you, put it on airplane mode and turn off the ringer and vibrator. Think how offensive it is if someone is pouring out his heart out to you and you respond by looking down at your buzzing watch. He now thinks something else is more important than he is, and is less inclined to trust you with his most treasured items as a result.
Be sure to make eye contact and to take mental notes of things to ask about when the person is done talking. Let him know you are writing down ideas or tasks to do later so you don’t forget them. I often ask clients to hold on momentarily so I can write down all they are saying, and then I ask them to resume telling me the story. Most important, avoid talking about yourself. This isn’t about you; it’s about you listening.