It is a commonly accepted idea that salespeople are supposed to be exceptionally gifted speakers and presenters. They are supposed to be able to think on their feet, and they are supposed to be able to engage in the verbal jousting that often accompanies a tricky sales call or a boardroom presentation. There is a kernel of truth here.

But the more important skill set, and the one that will do the most to win a potential opportunity isn’t the ability to deliver a presentation or to speak well. It’s listening.

An inability to listen is dangerous and a damning indictment of a salesperson. The inability to listen sends your dream client a message. It tells them all they need to know.

You Don’t Care

An inability to listen indicates that you don’t care about the person that is speaking. If you cared about them, you would be able to set aside your desire to speak and allow them the space and time to speak.

You have questions. You want to understand your client’s pain. You want to advance the opportunity. Sometimes, your dream client just needs to be heard. They need someone to listen to them.

The salesperson who can set aside their own agenda, set aside their desire to pitch, and set aside the need to try to maneuver a future commitment long enough to listen can prove that they actually care.

You Don’t Believe Their Ideas Are Important

You have no doubt heard some of the issues and challenges from clients in the past. You have solved some of these problems. This is old hat for you. So you move forward past the topic your dream client wants to talk through.

What you have indicated is not that you are a subject matter expert with the business acumen to help solve problems and generate a better outcome. You have instead proven that you don’t care what your dream client thinks, and that you believe that what you think is far more important.

Your dream client imagines a future working with you. They have an idea. They try to share it. You interrupt them before they can finish their thought and interject your own ideas. They don’t like what they imagine, and they imagine interviewing some other potential partners.

This Is About You

An inability to listen means you believe that this is about you. It means that you believe the sales call is about you. It means that the potential opportunity is about you. It means that you are putting you first and your dream client second. The rub?

Your dream client is looking for a partner who will do just the opposite and put their needs above the salesperson’s own needs.

When it’s all about you, then you have demonstrated that you are selfish. You have demonstrated a lack of maturity. You have undoubtedly undone any opportunity you may have had.

Questions

What does it mean when a person struggles to listen?

What does it mean when someone has the ability to truly listen?

How do you make certain that someone knows you value their ideas?

How does listening prove that you care?

For more on increasing your sales effectiveness, subscribe to the RSS Feed for The Sales Blog and my Email Newsletter. Follow me on Twitter, connect to me on LinkedIn, or friend me on Facebook. If I can help you or your sales organization, check out my coaching and consulting firm, B2B Sales Coach & Consultancy, email me, or call me at (614) 212-4729.

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