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Do people a favour and let them talk
On holiday in France last year we spent many an evening in the local cafes sucking up the atmosphere enjoying everything that is France. Next to us on one evening was a charming British couple and, as you do, we got chatting.
The chap talked about life back at home and mentioned excitedly about coaching his local mini rugby team. Now that’s exactly what I do on a Sunday morning so I began to tell him, with equal enthusiasm, all about my coaching.
I told him all about it, never stopped, talked over him and dominated the conversation.
That’s not empathy and rapport building…I blew it.
They didn’t stay in the café very long making their excuses and disappeared into the night.
Afterwards I realised what I’d done and knew that if I’d listened to him and allowed him to talk openly about his hobby…we would have got on better. Instead I just got talking about the same subject. It’s easy to do this when the other person mentions something that you can say a lot about as well.
Sometimes we all fall into this trap. I know, I did.
This is useful in sales, coaching and any communication situation where you need rapport and a trust before you can do your job. Do people a favour and just let them talk.
The chap talked about life back at home and mentioned excitedly about coaching his local mini rugby team. Now that’s exactly what I do on a Sunday morning so I began to tell him, with equal enthusiasm, all about my coaching.
I told him all about it, never stopped, talked over him and dominated the conversation.
That’s not empathy and rapport building…I blew it.
They didn’t stay in the café very long making their excuses and disappeared into the night.
Afterwards I realised what I’d done and knew that if I’d listened to him and allowed him to talk openly about his hobby…we would have got on better. Instead I just got talking about the same subject. It’s easy to do this when the other person mentions something that you can say a lot about as well.
Sometimes we all fall into this trap. I know, I did.
This is useful in sales, coaching and any communication situation where you need rapport and a trust before you can do your job. Do people a favour and just let them talk.
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