If you become curious and make the conversation about them, be it a customer, friend or family member – you will have more influence!

When people see that you are taking a genuine interest in them, they feel valued and respected. This makes them open up to give you a deeper understanding of what they are truly going through.

You are then able to communicate about things to which they deeply relate because the communication becomes about them.

Here are some tips to get better at your communication with others:

1. Show empathy – one of the definitions of true empathy is to convey their pain in your heart. This can only be possible with a genuine interest in the other person and paying full attention.

2. Active and engaged listening – you are fully engaged in what the other person is saying. You are not distracted by other things going on around you, which can detract from being actively engaged.

3. Being non-judgemental – if you have already judged a person before properly listening to him or her, you will cease to make the conversation about them. You will keep on looking for evidence to support your judgment.

4. Avoid interruptions – if you keep interrupting the other person they will lose their trend of thought.

5. Pay attention to body language – pay attention to both verbal communication, as well as non-verbal communication.

6. Take the approach of listening twice as much as you speak!

If you implement the above tips you can be a better communicator, salesman, friend, and influencer!

Watch Azim’s personal message about this topic