Are you listening?

Listening is such a skill and so often overlooked, you know the drill, you’re having a conversation with someone and you are not really listening to them, you are actually looking for the opportunity to break their sentence and interject your own idea. This is so common and especially as a chiropractor, you are so keen to help someone that you want to give them all your advice and knowledge straight away without actually listening to what they are saying.

And so often, they couldn’t really give a shit about the advice you have. No seriously they don’t care about it, nor do they really care about chiropractic.

So why are they even in your office in the first place?

They want to be heard. It is as simple as that, they want someone to take an active interest in them and simply to listen to what they have to say.
Through this process of being listened to and heard, they then grow confidence and trust in you which ultimately leads to them getting better.

As the great Fred Barge said, “he heals in whom he has the most trust”.

This is so true, the patient wants to be heard and wants to build trust, following that they will heal.

Therefore, my simple advice for you this week is to ‘shut up’ and leave your ego at the door. Let them speak, let them tell you about themselves, their issues, and their needs. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason, to listen more than you talk.

I know this can be difficult, so here is the most simple phrase you can adopt in your practice to truly make listening a success for you.

“What’s been the best bit of your day?”

You know, especially here in the UK, we often ask people; “how are you?” to which we pay no attention to the answer. Really, we don’t. This lacks so much meaning and can disconnect you from your patient more that it can connect.

So this week I want you to try two very simple things and observe the changes it makes in compliance and results.

1.       Shut up, stop talking.

2.       Ask everyone “what’s been the best bit of your day”. (And then listen).

Trust me this works, follow me in practice or any other successful volume chiropractor, they all have one thing in common. They are quiet, calm, and great listeners.

With love,

Tom