Unlocking the Secrets of Becoming an Effective Listener with Colin Smith AKA The Listener

In this episode of Sales Made Easy, Harry and Colin Smith discuss the importance of listening and how it can improve relationships and sales. Colin suggested that most people believe they are above average listeners, but when asked if anyone had thanked them for listening in the last two weeks, most people's hands went down. Colin explained that hearing and listening are not the same thing. Listening requires focus, concentration, and understanding. He suggested that to become a better listener, one should practice being present, remove distractions, and avoid filling every silence with words. Harry agreed, and concluded that by listening effectively, one can build relationships, create trust, and increase sales.This conversation is about the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is unintentional and happens without us doing anything. Listening is intentional and active, and requires us to really focus on what is being said. To demonstrate this difference, the speaker uses a piece of music, asking people to just listen to it, then listen to the guitar and piano, then listen to the vocals, and finally to just relax and be with the music. When we listen to understand rather than just listen to reply, this opens up the conversation and we can pick up on subtle signals that can help us understand the other person better. For example, when talking about a competitor, we can pick up on whether they are really happy or unhappy with them. Listening with understanding can help us get a lot more out of conversations.