Freedom Through Listening
I meet every Friday morning with 4 other women in an empowerment group for United First Financial. We are independent agents and our purpose is to support each other to grow beyond ourselves so we may reach out fearlessly to assist others to get out of debt. If Ufirst is something you’ve not heard about yet, information can be found at FlowYourMoney. This week’s theme is listening and we are to notice during the week experiences around listening.
Yesterday I spent the morning in San Francisco at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Our son, Bryan Heckenlively, was participating in a Mock Trial Competition. Bryan is a third year law student at the UC Berkeley School of Law. The courthouse is an amazing building with mosaic tile floors and 
gorgeous marble everywhere. So here we are sitting in the courtroom and the judge, fully robed, sits before us. Although we know this is a mock trial, it all seems very real. They are trying a real case, and the students are dressed in suits; so prepared they don’t need notes.
A courtroom is a perfect place to study the benefits of listening. Asking, and then listening for the response. During the examination of a witness listening is critically important! Although the attorney has a direction in mind of where she wants the flow of the questioning to go, she has to listen for clues that will guide her towards the points she wants to make. She cannot be so locked in to her prepared line of questioning that she cannot seize an opportunity that may present itself.
I noticed that the attorney would ask a question of the witness and after the witness answered, the attorney would say, “Tell me more about that.” Hmmm. A line of questioning! 
Not just one question, but many. And the answers that follow will help guide the direction of the line of questioning.
Where does freedom fit in with this? If I focus on the other person I am free from my own fears and worries. My ego has released it’s stronghold! I truly am free to be of service as I assist another to make their own discoveries. And it is through the release of long held beliefs about money that my future clients will open their minds to educate themselves about another way to get out of debt and begin to build wealth. And all I need to do is ask questions?
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By Amy Boyack, November 21, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Listening is one of the best kept secrets in the sales industry. Few people really understand the power of listening to clients and finding out what they need before cramming something down their throats. I’m glad you figured this one out early in the game.
By Sue, November 21, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
Great first post Jody! You could maybe find a stock photo at Fotosearch.com - I found 2 for my website and they were only $50 each.
By Betty, November 21, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Well done, I’m impressed!
By Kevin Jackson, November 21, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
Nice going Jody! Very informative.
By Ron Nevers, November 21, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Very interesting. How can we help others if we can’t hear what the needs are? Very often we talk to much and listen (hear) to little! All the best.
By Bill Beavers, November 22, 2008 @ 8:19 am
What a great writer you are. I look forward to visiting to see your next posting. They always say “make it a conversation” so it should be obvious that your can’t have a conversation if only one person is talking. Personally I like asking questions. You get all that information plus it will usually reduce the time and stress of the overall presentation. All the best.
By admin, November 22, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Thanks to all for visiting and leaving a comment. Being a blogging newbie, I am now opening doors to discovery through writing. It is an inner experience that becomes an outer experience. Thank you for engaging in the process!
By Michael Montgomery, November 22, 2008 @ 9:24 am
Awesome post. To be a newbie you are sure getting the hang of it.
By admin, November 22, 2008 @ 9:36 am
I have great blog tour guides!
By gmpaughey, November 23, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
Great post and great looking blog. Keep up the good work
By jennifer hartman, November 24, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
Nice blog. I am just getting the hang of it myself.
By admin, November 24, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
It’s a whole new world for me too!
By Kevin Jackson, November 26, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Hi Jody Happy Thanksgiving! I changed my theme, check it out when you get a chance!
Kevin Jackson
By jacquie, November 28, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Your blog is great — nice article! I am ready to get started with my blog!
Jacquie
By John Ross, December 22, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Very well done, Jody. There truly is an art to listening, and to listen properly actually takes effort on ones part! As the old saying goes: God gave us two ears and one mouth. Use them in that ratio during your sales process!
John Ross
By admin, December 22, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
Thanks, John. Listening…and actually hearing what the person is saying is indeed an art.