Talking

I talk for a living. I am in sales. I lead a great group of very talented sales professionals. I also do my share of talking and even more listening. I had to do some talking today because of a situation that has arisen. Things were discussed, explained and things are getting worked out now. It is amazing how much can get resolved from talking, asking good questions, listening and then following up on the answers received. I can't believe more people can't do that. To me it is so elemental and basic. There are times, I know, that I want to get my point across that I will ask a question, not pay attention and then respond with something that is so incongruous with what was previously stated that it was patently obvious that I wasn't listening. I hate when that happens to me. I am trying to get better at listening and asking for clarification. If we can learn this, again for me, simple thing, we can get much farther in the world. Everyone wants to be heard, everyone loves to hear their name (try it at a restaurant and your server next time and watch the service you get) and everyone wants to feel like you are listening to them. If you listen correctly it is much easier to do the right talking.