Just Listen by Mark Goulston – Book Review

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• Discover the Persuasive Power of Listening Skills in This Just Listen Book Review
• Active Listening Is the Key to Persuasion
• Unlock Your Full Potential With 1AND1
• Follow Up With a Thank You Message

Discover the Persuasive Power of Listening Skills in This Just Listen Book Review

Have you ever had trouble bringing people around to your point of view? If you’re like most people, it’s more common than you’d like.

When people speak, they’re usually trying to persuade you to their point of view, or at the very least, get you to like them more. If you listen closely, you’ll probably find a lot of things you already agree with and be able to have a more stimulating conversation. This harmony helps to build trust and makes it more likely for people to give you and your ideas a chance. 

The human mind is loaded with mirror neurons that encourage us to copy each other’s emotional and mental states. You’ve probably noticed that when you’re deep in conversation with someone, you each tend to mirror how the other is sitting and acting. This is because of mirror neurons. They are a big part of what make us sociable and able to cooperate and work well in groups. 

This is why leading by example is so powerful. When you listen attentively and find areas of agreement with others, their mirror neurons and yours reinforce that you are on the same team and should cooperate. Taking the time to develop an honest interest in what other people have to say will make you more trustworthy. You’ll learn a lot and your conversations will be more interesting. People are fascinating! If you truly listen, you’ll never get bored—especially when you ask good questions. 

Likewise, the benefits of reading are similar to the benefits of listening. The more you read, the more your empathy skills will improve. Books like Just Listen and other wellness books can help you find effective ways to live a better, more meaningful life. 

If you want to be a better listener, keep reading and find out how Just Listen, by Mark Goulston, can help you meet your full potential.  

Active Listening Is the Key to Persuasion

If you want to be persuasive, you need to know your audience—what they like, what they don’t like, and where they want to go. Understanding what is most urgent and important to them is the key to convincing them that you can help. You can find these answers and more through active listening.

It’s likely that you already have good listening skills. Many of them come naturally. You can practice by talking to people you already know and like. The more you practice active listening with someone you’re invested in, the more your listening skills will grow. 

Active listening occurs when you are fully engaged in the conversation, such as offering words of encouragement and asking follow-up questions. It is also helpful to repeat back important parts of the conversation to ensure you understand. To illustrate, even when I’m sure I got the point, I repeat the important parts back. Usually, there’s something I missed in the original exchange. 

Everyone has something valuable to say, but they’re not always willing to share. The back-and-forth style of active listening shows others that you value what they have to say. This can give them the confidence to share even more about who they are and what they find important. Their mirror neurons will also notice your behavior and encourage them to treat you with the same attention and respect. 

Furthermore, it’s up to you to show others that you care about their message. Practicing active listening skills can help you encourage other people to open up and share their true feelings. 

Good listeners are great conversationalists. When you listen, you find out what they already know and what they want to achieve. This puts you in a place where you will know how you can best help them. It will also give them confidence in your advice and suggestions. 

Unlock Your Full Potential With 1AND1

I run the corporate wellness training program at 1AND1. Developing better listening skills is a vital part of our strategy to make healthier leadership teams. 

When the people around you know that you take them seriously and have a genuine interest in their welfare, they will be more likely to take your advice seriously, too. At 1AND1, we believe setting a good example is the proper foundation for a healthy and cooperative work environment.

If you are considering starting your own business, or just want to reinvent where you are, I recommend you seek the best startup business books for your unique skill set. Just Listen is one of my favorites. It can help you learn how to encourage others to communicate more effectively and build deeper relationships of trust.

One of the many abilities that can help you is emotional intelligence in leadership. Sharing this skill with your leadership team will give your managers an additional edge. I like to help people develop an entire tool kit of valuable skills that reinforce and support each other. 

Reading Mark Goulston’s book, Just Listen, has helped me better understand the art and science of persuasion. I use his ideas on a daily basis to help my clients form healthier and more impactful leadership teams. When I reread a book like this, it keeps me focused on the most important parts of listening and persuasion. It reminds me of what I am doing right and shows me areas where I have more room to grow. 

Follow Up With a Thank You Message

The ability to listen closely is a vital and underused skillset. When you pay active attention to others, you will learn where and how you already agree. Building on common beliefs will help you become more popular and more persuasive. 

Sending a thoughtful thank-you message after every meeting or conversation is an important part of making a good impression. It shows you paid attention, valued your time together, and were still thinking of them after they were gone. 

I take a personal interest in every client and business partner I have. It makes my life richer and helps me build more rewarding relationships. In addition, if it’s appropriate, try to fit in non-business-centric activities as well, such as sporting events and exercise sessions. I’ve found many business professionals have taken up yoga. It’s a great form of exercise that can help you stay in top condition. When you’re physically healthy, you get a mental edge, too.  

Yoga isn’t just popular. It’s really easy to find space to practice. All you need are comfortable clothes, a roll-up mat, and a few minutes of time to get in an energizing workout. I find that using a yoga journal helps ensure you never miss a workout. It can also help you stay on track and get the most out of exercising. 

People who are healthy and happy are naturally more persuasive and likable. That’s why I like to encourage people to follow diet and exercise plans that are tailored to their specific needs and situations. This Thinner, Leaner, Stronger review has helped many people get back on track. Maybe it can help you, too.   Thank you for taking the time to read my review of Just Listen, by Mark Goulston. I recommend it to all of my clients. It’s a powerful book, and I reference it often. It has been a key component to many of my successes, and I know it can help you have a more fulfilling and productive life. Why not pick up a copy and start reading it today?