Like most recruiters, I am a willing talker.

But communicating is listening, too, right? So, surely, ‘understanding’ is the foundation of it all?

I am a poor listener. Or, rather, I was, but I have worked hard at improving because this weakness was holding me back. I still lapse often, to be honest.

‘Active listening’, then, is a crucial business skill. It is most definitely something a consultative recruiter excels at.

How self-aware are you about your listening skills?

Most of us have no idea.

How did I actively improve? These are things I worked on, and I know I have a long way to go. How about you? How do you stack up on these?

• Listen to understand, not to formulate an answer
• Stop interrupting (I am disgracefully guilty of this)
• Be more ‘present’ – to not allow my mind to wander and to focus and concentrate on the other person
• Stop assuming that I know what the other person is going to say (The more experienced you are, the more guilty of this you can become)
• Listen to the ‘whole person’; in other words, be attuned to body language, tone and other non-verbal signals
• Approach every conversation with a more open mind and more empathy
• Be ‘slower to understand’ – to not jump in with a solution too fast, and think more before I talk
• Ask more and more thoughtful questions, so I really do understand
• Deliver appropriate responses, showing I have understood, and encouraging more dialogue
• Not be defensive when I sense criticism or a different point of view.

Even if you just want to take a commercial slant on things, the absolute truth is that selling is listening

But generally, most of us need to worry far less about being right and far more about being right about what the other person thinks and feels.

We must remind ourselves every morning that only by listening will we learn anything new

Nothing you say today will teach you anything.

Reflect on that for a moment.

When someone really listens to you, you feel respected. Validated.

That is the beginning of a trust-based relationship, which is the foundation for the ability to consult.

And when AI soaks up all the process work we currently do, listening, understanding, advising, and consulting is the only part of the job where you and I will have any value

Oh, but what great value that can be!

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

 Greg Savage Live Event

How to value your recruitment business

Exclusive in-person events in Sydney and Melbourne

How to value your recruitment business (and how to build a valuable one!)’.

Aimed at recruitment industry owners and leaders, Greg will call on his years of experience as he discusses building a sustainable business, the importance of creating an exit action plan, the factors that affect value and more.

In addition, Greg will host a panel discussion with two recruitment industry leaders who have built value into their businesses.

This will be followed by an opportunity to relax and network with fellow recruitment industry leaders, with food and drinks supplied.

We have limited available tickets for both our Melbourne and Sydney events. The content suits owners and senior leaders of recruitment companies.

Make sure you secure your seat today.

Sign up for Sydney on August 1st 2024

Sign up for Melbourne on September 19th 2024

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

NOW is the time to improve recruiter skills

Cutting training spend is a huge mistake in a downturn

Hone the skills for the best results

Prepare consultants to thrive in the upturn

The Savage Recruitment Academy

The Savage Recruitment Academy

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************