How to Read Between the Lines in a Conversation

How much might you be missing in your conversations, sales or otherwise?

Communicating successfully is a tricky business. Even with the best intentions, misunderstandings are rife even when both parties are sharing what’s really on their minds!

What happens when it’s a critical conversation? Like a sales conversation? How can you read between the lines to truly understand what the other party is thinking?

That requires some skill beyond just listening deeply.

A truly great conversationalist (and salesperson) begins by leaving his ego at the door. It’s impossible to gain the clarity demanded from the conversation if you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next.

Remember that as much as 60% of communication is non-verbal. Yes, you need to listen to the spoken words, but you also need to be looking for visual and tonal cues. Do they match what’s being said?

Have you been in a situation, perhaps at a networking event, where someone was smiling pleasantly and apparently engaged in the conversation while at the same time flicking their eyes around the room? Did you feel like you had that person’s full attention?

Reading between the lines in a conversation takes some practice.

Reach out if you could use some help practicing these conversational skills!

[johnrainsman]

I read between the lines of my manager, if anyone agrees my interpretation is correct. When a coworker was giving *_all_* of us instructions for the event and asked if there were any questions, my manager, *absolutely unprompted, * suddenly said, "Does that make sense, John?" I think she trusted they understood and suspected I, the slow learner who often needs help or clarification, would need it again. She really didn't think I would notice? Her ✌🏻"randomly"✌🏻 asking *me* in particular and none of my other coworkers present? Anyone agree with my theory?

[kfpiqpn]

I have so much trouble communicating with my parents