Kait and Hailey talk about the hard truth about online dating, share their personal stories with online dating, and final takeaways as you navigate online dating. Whether you’re meeting them for the first time or have a regular on-going relationship, when you speak, look at them. Even if you only have a few seconds to engage, use that time to make them feel like they’re important.
Using these TED questions to show interest in the customer can also be helpful in enabling you to change the mindset of a customer or better understand them. They can also pick up on the small details about the customer’s life that they share during the call. When you acknowledge someone you’re letting them know you value them and think they’re important. Paying attention to another person, even if only for a moment, contributes to their sense of self-worth and you rise in their esteem. Conversations, naturally, involve interaction from both sides.
Put things on your calendar or put a reminder in your mobile to follow up on, which leads me to the next point. It might be something that isn’t happening to them directly but will have a huge impact on their lives going forward (like sick elderly parents, for example). We tell someone about an issue we are having, and they dive right into how they have a bigger problem without so much as a question about how we feel. This is all part of the whole talking to each other gig I mentioned earlier.
This is true for job interviews, first dates, and meetings. Research published by the Royal Society tells us that we find people with a direct gaze considerably more likable than those who don’t. Says, if you want to appear smart, look people in the eye. Cultivating a genuine interest in the people around you is a key component. Participating in someone’s life is a great way of showing you are interested in it.
In saying that, I understand that small talk is a way people communicate and a way they try to show interest. Occasionally people are not going to make any sense. Regardless of that, show you are interested and that you care.
A thoughtful check-in every few days can mean more than constant chatter. Consistency builds trust; constant communication can create burnout. “We need to hang out this weekend” feels heavy; “If you’re free this weekend, we could check out that café you mentioned” feels open.
For instance, if a person expresses enthusiasm for a sport unfamiliar to one, a query such as, “That is quite interesting. Showing genuine interest in others does not end when the conversation is over. You can also show genuine interest by following up and following through with the people you meet. Following through means that you keep your promises, deliver on your commitments, and update them on your progress, if applicable. Following up and following through can show that you care, that you value the relationship, and that you are reliable.
If you don’t contribute anything, it can seem like you don’t want to talk. For example, if you’re at someone’s housewarming party, ask them questions about the neighborhood, their new home, or anything related to their new experience. This is an example of what we mean by thinking quickly. This simple act can open doors to deeper conversations, new friendships, and more harmonious coexistence. In our increasingly digital world, where real interactions can get lost in the noise, taking the time to truly listen and engage with those around us is more important than ever.
When you listen deeply, you demonstrate interest without demanding validation in return. Playful teasing, shared jokes, and light banter create connection without intensity. It says, “This feels easy with you.” When interactions feel easy, attraction has room to grow naturally instead of feeling like a performance review. One way to cultivate interest is by finding a unique aspect of their life or personality to explore. Perhaps a coworker seems bland until you learn they do volunteer work at an animal shelter on weekends. Asking about their experiences with animals might reveal touching stories that pique your interest.
If the advisor can really listen and engage with the customer’s responses – picking up on the key details in what is said (and often what is not) – rapport levels will skyrocket. Consider how your team can rephrase typical closed questions that are asked in your contact centre, using the TED principle, as we have done in the table below. In the moment, it can be hard for advisors to change their line of questioning, so a good technique to train them to use to ensure they are asking open questions is TED questions. To show genuine interest in the customer, you want to ask them open questions. This enables them to take the leading role within the conversation. Because it is important for advisors to consider that showing interest and being curious is what will really allow them to connect with each customer.
She edits a lot of the guest content that is published on Call Centre Helper. As the trainer you clippings.me can use this example to share other examples of good questions they could have asked – using TED questions to showcase how valuable they can be. It’s part of our DNA as human beings to be inquisitive. In fact, the average four-year-old asks up to 300 questions a day, according to The Telegraph.
This is NOT about gossiping about other people, being nosy and intrusive, following them a little too closely on Facebook, trying to control them, or anything along those lines. Today Kait has a conversation with Courtney Leo about single shaming, both the external and internal, that happens during the holidays. Once the team started to ask Gavin about his routine, they could focus on the right solution for him, instead of assuming their own solutions. This exercise shows the value of demonstrating a level of curiosity, rather than being too quick to give people answers.
It’s about letting people know you are interested in their lives by asking relevant questions regarding what they have said to you. When I started reading the preview for this book, I had a mind-boggling AHA moment. If you have someone who takes the time to listen to you, make sure you return the favor. I consider myself a fairly good listener, but recently I started to feel like I’d turned into ‘the one who listens’ for some of the people closest to me. Just to clarify what I mean by the word interested in this post.
A fifth way to show genuine interest in your colleagues’ work and goals is to seek feedback and learning opportunities from them. Seeking feedback means that you ask them for their opinions, suggestions, and critiques on your work and performance. Seeking feedback shows that you are humble and open-minded, and that you value your colleagues’ expertise and experience. Seeking learning opportunities means that you ask them to teach you something, to mentor you, or to collaborate with you on a project. Seeking learning opportunities shows that you are curious and eager to learn, and that you appreciate your colleagues’ skills and knowledge.
So even if the feelings aren’t mutual, I hope the person you are with will handle your vulnerable state with care. This can be as simple as asking, “What’s the most exciting part of your job? ” and actively listening to the answer, or offering a thoughtful comment that relates to what they’ve said, which can lead to a more engaging and meaningful conversation. Next, if you really want to show you’re interested in others, let them talk first. Resist the urge to start boasting about your achievements right away. To build trust, “let the other person speak first or have the floor first,” advises social psychologist Ann Cuddy.
You can show that you are listening by nodding, making eye contact, and using verbal and non-verbal cues, such as “I see” or “That’s interesting”. Empathetic listening means that you try to understand their emotions, motivations, and challenges, and that you express support, appreciation, and encouragement. You can show empathy by using statements such as “I can imagine how you feel” or “That must have been hard” or “You did a great job”.
By showing genuine interest in others, you learn how to start conversations, maintain dialogue, and exit exchanges gracefully. To show interest without being intrusive, you can practice active listening and observe the person’s response. Remember, include the other person in the conversation, or they’ll be less interested. As we’ve said throughout this post, ask questions, and always make it a genuine dialogue. When you remember someone’s name, it shows them they’re important to you. This is an easy tip you can start using today as you learn how to be interested in other people.
Wherever you are, you can look around and find something to talk about. A family picture, a trophy, baseball cards, art, a desk, and so on. There’s bound to be something that will spark small talk and lead to a more interesting conversation.
He stated, “We are interested in others when they are interested in us” . This mutual interest creates a bond that goes beyond superficial interactions. When you show genuine interest in someone, you’re not just acknowledging their presence; you’re validating their worth and making them feel seen and heard. A fourth way to show genuine interest in your colleagues’ work and goals is to share your own work and goals with them. Sharing your own work and goals means that you open up about your projects, challenges, learnings, and aspirations. Sharing your own work and goals can help you create a mutual understanding, a common ground, and a sense of connection with your colleagues.