Are you tired of feeling like a hit-or-miss salesperson or leader? Good communication and questioning skills are certainly important, but without effective listening skills, you'll likely fall short in your efforts. Luckily, there are ways to improve your listening skills and become a sales superstar or leader extraordinaire.
Let me introduce you to a salesperson who was struggling to connect with his prospects. He was using most of the tried-and-true techniques taught in Sandler, but his sales calls were falling flatter than a pancake.
Instead of throwing in the towel, he focused on developing his listening skills through education and practice. And after months of hard work, something magical happened. He was able to connect with his prospects on a deeper level and understand their pain points.
By really listening and engaging with his prospects, he was able to build the bonding and rapport needed to close more deals. No longer was he a hit-or-miss salesperson, he had become a sales superstar!
So, how did he do it? By following these simple listening techniques:
The Power Of Asking Good Questions
Asking the right questions is like finding the key to a treasure chest. It unlocks a wealth of information that can help you solve your prospect's or team member's problems. But you have to ask the right questions and then really listen to the answers. Otherwise, you're just wasting everyone's time.
Three Key Concepts For Developing Your Listening Skills
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to improve your listening skills. Here are three key concepts that will help you become an effective listener:
1. Recognize that Listening is a Skillset
It's not enough to just hear what someone is saying; you have to actively listen and engage with the other person. Just like any other skill, listening takes time to master. And, just like a professional athlete, you need to practice it regularly to get better.
2. Be Aware of Filters
We all have filters that can obstruct effective listening, like distractions or preconceived judgments. Don't let these get in the way of connecting with the other person. Instead, identify and minimize them as much as possible.
3. Apply the Sandler Rule of Three Plus
At Sandler, we teach that it takes at least three questions to uncover a prospect's pain points. But you can't just ask any old question. Make sure your questions are informed by what the other person has already shared. By doing so, you'll gain a deeper understanding of their perspective and be better equipped to help them.
Improved Listening Skills Boost Sales And Leadership
Improving your listening skills can boost your sales and leadership abilities significantly. If you want to become a sales superstar or leader extraordinaire, start by developing your listening skills. Ask the right questions, recognize that listening is a skillset, be aware of filters that could get in the way, and apply the Sandler Rule of Three Plus. By doing so, you'll become a better listener, build trust and rapport with others, and ultimately, achieve greater success in your endeavors.
So, the next time you're in a conversation with a prospect or team member, ask yourself, "Am I really listening?" Trust me, it'll make all the difference.
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Clint Babcock
Clint has nearly 25 years of experience developing and directing organizations' recruiting and sales strategies, as well as coaching and mentoring "C-level" executives. His expertise is in training inside and outside consultative sales teams in new business development, profit and loss management, sales compensation, key account management, and product/service positioning. Specialties include corporate sales training, public speaking, hiring assessments, and business development structuring.
