“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway (author)
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” – Jimi Hendrix (musician)
“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” – Dr. Joyce Brothers
Be Interested Rather than Interesting!
Most people spend their entire lives trying to be interesting – by getting promoted, buying the latest toys and showing up at the right parties. Self-promotion. Now, that’s not all bad and some of it does help to create a good life. However, being interested is far more life giving and generates more business long term. Hey, I’ve built a whole career around it!
Think of people you know within your circle of influence that inspire you. When you interact with them, what do you admire? I venture to say it’s because they are interested in you, what you are doing and where you are going in life.
Over the next week ask powerful questions of others like, “Tell me about your biggest win this week.” “Tell me one extreme thing you plan to do this year.” Then really listen. After about 5 minutes, say, “tell me more” and mean it.
Everyone longs to be truly heard. If you instigate more meaningful conversation with people, you must be genuine. Anyone can sense a fake. Here is the key, ask questions you really want to know the answers to. Then you may even want to take notes!
This others-focused approach will help you build stronger strategic relationships and gain powerful insights from those you admire most.
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Awesome Andy… thanks and I will be working on it!
Interesting. I will try it on a few folks this week.
Let me know how it goes. If any of the conversations produce 1 million or more we’ll write a book together!