Listening Carefully: A Key to Satisfying Clients

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Listening Carefully: A Key to Satisfying Clients

James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
Patrick Donadio – speaker, trainer, coach, author

There is no end to the things you can learn when you listen carefully. How often do we hear words spoken but will not allow them to register in our brain. This is usually because we are preoccupied with our own thoughts and feelings instead of focusing on the one who is speaking. When we make the effort to truly listen good things can result.

This was the weekend that Dad and I spend each year in Columbus at the Ohio Auctioneers Association’s annual conference. Along with getting away from the normal routine of life, reconnecting with business colleagues and friends, and enjoying good meals and entertainment, we receive the benefit of attending continuing education classes. These are classes that we need to take every three years in order to keep our real estate licenses current.
The classes cover a wide variety of topics and sometimes, I’m sorry to say, my mind wanders during the lectures and I don’t listen carefully. This is not necessarily the instructors’  fault, but rather a flaw in my listening skills. The barrage of words streams into my ears, sloshes around in my brain, and filters out through my yawns. But sometimes there is a compelling speaker who shares information that really grabs my attention.
This year I was pleased to sit in a class where my mind was engaged and I learned some lessons that can apply to every area of life. The information the presenter shared was helpful for real estate agents and auctioneers, but it was also good for those who want to follow Jesus. In fact, much of what Patrick Donadio, author of Communicating with Impact, encouraged us to do is what God instructs in His word.
In particular Mr. Donadio spent a significant portion of his presentations focusing on good listening skills. When you are developing a relationship with a potential client, it is so important to listen to what they are saying so you can understand what they want. Ask questions and then listen intently to their answers so that you can personalize your presentation to their needs. Rephrase what they say so misunderstandings are less likely to occur. In this way you are sure the communication will be clear and everyone will understand what is expected and get the desired results.
How true this is not only with clients, but also in our communication with God. Often we think we understand what He wants, but we have not taken the time to listen carefully to what He says. We read His instructions in the Bible with our ears half closed and our own interpretations filling our minds. We forget to pray and ask questions about the meaning of His words and how to live them in our everyday life. Then we wonder why He is not pleased and we are not getting the results we had hoped to achieve.
God instructs His children in the book of James, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” We may read these words with lazy ears. Instead of taking them to heart we may gloss over them, allowing anger and selfish desires to rule us when a difficult circumstance or relationship threatens our peace and sanity.
But God gives us these instructions for a reason. The right thing to do when trials or temptations strike is to ask Him to help us calm down, close our mouths, open our minds, and listen carefully. He will not leave us alone when times are hard, but is sure to answer and guide us with His power, wisdom, and strength as we navigate through the situation. By doing things His way we will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love and obey Him.
When you develop your listening proficiency, you can learn more, and so much good can happen. In the auction or real estate business this crucial skill may just land you a satisfied client. But more importantly, developing this skill and acting on it will please God and bring blessings that can’t be numbered.

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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