Listening Is the Most Important Skill in a Fundraiser’s Tool Box

1. It often shows a perfect command of the language to say nothing.
2. A question not asked is a door not opened.
3. It is the ultimate mark of respect you can pay a person.
4. We are each blessed with two ears and one mouth— a reminder we should listen twice as much as we talk.
5. Do not ask questions for the sake of responding and having something to say.  You listen for the desire to gain information and better understanding.
6. Keeping quiet and listening are important ingredients for an open communication.
7. It is the heart and soul of engaging a person.
8. You will be considered an outstanding conversationalist if you probe, ask questions, and listen.  There is no greater compliment than listening.
9. Listening puts the other person in the spotlight.
10. It provides giving clues.
11. It is the springboard to securing the gift.
12. It helps you learn something new.
13. What should you listen for?  The little things.  Everything.
14. Unless you know what you’re listening for it may be difficult to know it when you hear it.
15. Listen to context, as well as content.
16. The better you listen, the more you realize how little you know.
17. What you don’t know might hurt you.  What you do know will only help.
18. Most of us know how to keep silent.  But few know when.
19. When you talk too much, it is hard to remember all you said and remember what they said.
20. If you don’t ask the right question, you’ll never get the right answer.
21. It is the most important element in being empathetic.
22. Open questions allow the respondent an opportunity to “tell it like it is.”
23. Listen with your eyes.  Listen with your body.  Listen as if you’re hard of hearing.
24. If you find yourself talking more than twenty-five percent of the time, there’s a good chance you will never hear the necessary information.
25. It is a skill that can be learned.