They’re irate, ranting and raving – spewing the emotion your way.
They. Just. Won’t. Stop. Talking.
They’re rambling with no clear point or need or concern being conveyed.
You’re enjoying the discussion, but you have LOTS of other things to do.
If you find yourself in these situations with a customer or co-worker, you’re not alone. There are times when you need to get control of the conversation. They’re upset and you need to get the emotions down to begin moving toward a resolution. They’re talking non-stop, and you need to begin closing the conversation. There’s a lot being said but no real point being shared. Sometimes you just have other work that is being delayed by the conversation.
People who are great at customer service are inquisitive. But they’re not just inquisitive because they’re curious. They’re asking questions because they know that questions provide control.
Too many employees try to gain control by talking fast (not letting the customer speak), interrupting the other person, talking loudly, or using rude body language. But questions provide a much more professional way of taking control.
Your objective questions help you to get the kind of thinking and facts that draw down emotions. Your close-ended questions help to elicit shorter responses. Your targeted questions get at the key point or need. And your questions help you to become more productive by closing conversations more quickly.
You’re not using the questions to control the other person. Rather, you’re using questions to gain control of the emotions and direction of the conversation itself.
Become an expert at asking questions.
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