How to Prioritize Listening Over Pitching

Stop Talking, Start Winning: How Active Listening Seals Oil & Gas Deals A client was ready to sign a multimillion-dollar contract—then we lost them. Why? Because we assumed their biggest concern was cost. We never asked. In the oil and gas industry, deals aren’t won by just having the best product or service. They’re won by the company that listens better. The Mistake Costing You Customers Most professionals listen to respond, not listen to understand—and that’s where they lose deals. Here’s how to flip the script: 🚨 Pause Before You Pitch – Let the client fully express their concerns. Cutting them off signals that their problem isn’t important. 🎯 Mirror Their Words – If a client says, “Our biggest issue is long lead times,” don’t assume they mean price. Repeat: “So lead times are your main concern—tell me more.” This builds trust. 🔄 Reframe the Solution – Instead of jumping in with what YOU think they need, align your response with their concerns: “Since lead times are your priority, let’s explore express delivery options to minimize downtime.” 📌 Follow Up Like It’s a Closing Step – Many businesses drop the ball after the first conversation. A simple check-in, like “Did that solution meet your expectations?” shows commitment. Why This Works Clients don’t just buy products or services. They buy the feeling of being heard. 🔹 If you rush to respond, you lose trust. 🔹 If you dismiss their concerns, they look elsewhere. 🔹 But if you make them feel heard? They stay—and they sign. Have You Ever Lost a Deal Because You Assumed Instead of Listened? Drop your experience in the comments—let’s talk about it. 👇 #OilAndGasSales #B2BNegotiations #ActiveListeningWins

When I started working in corporate, my biggest fear was going to meetings and not saying a single word. This changed when I shifted my approach. Whenever I joined meetings, I felt the unprecedented pressure of contributing, and my mind was always racing to find something to speak about. Then someone told me that if you don't have something to contribute, think of questions. Then, my mind was racing to find good questions. But eventually, I noticed the best leaders around me. They did something different → they came in, stayed quiet, and just listened before they said anything. Earlier, all my efforts were going towards finding something that I could say. After my observation, I practiced shifting my approach towards becoming a good listener first. I realized that I had to put my user researcher hat on. This change in approach not only alleviated the pressure to speak but also enhanced my ability to contribute meaningfully when I did decide to share my thoughts. What I found works best to become a better listener: 1/ Practice "empty-cup listening": Walk into every conversation assuming you might learn something new. Drop your mental to-do list, that running checklist of points you want to make, and focus only on understanding. 2/ Master the "3-second rule": After someone finishes speaking, wait three full seconds before responding. This slight pause shows respect and often encourages people to share deeper thoughts. 3/ Use the "mirror technique": Briefly summarize what you heard and ask if you got it right. Say something like, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you're genuinely paying attention. 4/ Watch the “white space”: Notice what people aren't saying. Their hesitations and pauses often hold the most valuable insights. When someone hesitates before saying "yes" to a deadline, they're probably seeing risks they're afraid to mention. By listening first, we can gather more context, understand different perspectives, and make more informed contributions. Teams also work better when their leader is a good listener. When leaders model this behavior, it signals that the team values quality over quantity in communication. So, are you a good listener? What are some listening techniques that you practice? #communication #Leadership #Trust #Growth

What If I Told You Your Pride Is Silently Sabotaging Your Influence? I learned this the hard way. Last year, I sat in a meeting where someone presented an idea that clashed with everything I believed was the right direction. Instead of listening with intent, I mentally dismissed them before they even finished. Why? Because I was too focused on being right instead of being open. That moment cost us time, team trust, and missed opportunities. Here’s the truth: You can’t grow influence, build leadership trust, or create real connection if your pride is doing the listening for you. Why This Matters: In a world where active listening is now a top leadership skill (Forbes reports it’s linked to 40% higher team engagement), tuning people out—especially when you disagree—isn’t just unwise, it’s unsustainable. People can feel when they’re being dismissed. And leaders who don’t listen, lose followers. Are You Making This Mistake? Ask yourself: • Do I only fully listen when I already agree with the speaker? • Do I interrupt, correct, or internally argue before someone finishes their thought? • Have I stopped being curious? If you said “yes” to even one, keep reading. Next time you feel that internal pushback, try this: 1. Pause. Take a breath before you react. 2. Repeat. Summarize what they said back to them. 3. Reflect. Ask, “What if they’re right about part of this?” Not only will this rewire your listening habits, it’ll earn you real trust and credibility—the kind that builds long-term influence. If you do this consistently for just 7 days, you’ll start seeing better conversations, stronger connections, and more creative outcomes. Guaranteed. If you’re a leader, manager, or someone who wants to grow in influence—whether you’re a CEO or just stepping into your first team lead role—this message is for you. And yes, it’s hard—but it’s worth it. If this hit home for you, drop a “Listening > Pride” in the comments, and let’s talk. Or better yet—tag someone who models active listening well and let them know they’ve made an impact. You don’t have to agree to listen. But you do have to listen if you want to lead. #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #ActiveListening

The Secret to Winning Conversations? Shut Up and Listen First. He or she who speaks first loses. Sounds counterintuitive, right? I see it all the time, people jump into networking calls or prospect talks eager to drop their elevator pitch... but here’s the thing: people buy from those who listen and get them. Next time you jump on a call, try this simple rule: set a timer. How long can you go without talking about yourself or your product? Three to five minutes? How many questions can you ask to uncover their needs, pains, and expectations? That pause shows you’re truly listening, building empathy... and it gives you a way better picture of what’s really going on. Then, when you do present, it’s clear how your solution fits their exact problem. So next time, don’t rush to speak first. Let the questions lead, wait, and then deliver.