Be Present
And I don’t just mean physically!
There are enough warm bodies showing up in workplaces everywhere taking up room!!
I mean showing up with your body, heart and mind.
I mean bringing your whole self to the time that you spend with another person.
Presence is fundamental to connecting and understanding. Whether you’re a sales leader spending time with one of your team members, a salesperson with a customer or a customer service person on the phone, it matters.
Here are 3 ways to help you to be fully present:
ONE: Empathetic Listening
This is the level of listening where your heart is open to the degree that you’re able to see the other person’s perspective.
It is all about truly being there for the other person so that they can feel safe to open up; they know that you care deeply about what they are sharing with you. You’re able to hold space while they do that. You’re not there to give solutions or just wait until it’s your turn to speak. Doing this can transform your relationships.
TWO: Have an Intention to be of Service
Holding an intention to be of service means seeking opportunities to give rather than seeking ONLY to get. The energy is completely different and latter is repellent in the other person (FYI).
So, what does this look like?
Well, during the conversation itself, this could mean doing way more listening than speaking, asking more than telling and having the others’ best interests in mind.
Being of service means that if they’re not a fit for your business, you’ll recommend them to another supplier who is. Your belief system is such that you KNOW there is more than enough opportunity to go around.
This also means that your questions are well considered and planned as opposed to asking what you always ask, or flying by the seat of your pants. You play the long game confidently, because you’re in a state of abundance which is a fundamental for giving – you can’t give away what you don’t have.
THREE: Be in a Clean State
Show up so that your own communication style, state of mind, experience, opinions are left at the door so that you can be truly in a state of neutrality for the other person.
When you’re able to do this, you’re able to see, hear and feel the other person’s view of the world and communicate more fully in their style which makes any subsequent action meaningful, relevant and of value to them. Getting into flow prior to a meeting can be as simple as breathing deeply, focusing on a spot somewhere in the distance and gradually allowing your senses to take in sounds, things in your peripheral vision, aromas and sensations.
Service is a people centred practice. So practice.