Do you listen to learn… or do you listen to respond?

Face-to-face asking is powerful because when two people communicate in person it creates a level of empathy that is rarely developed otherwise.

When we’re in each other’s company we’re more inclined to want to be seen as good, and to see the good in others.  And that makes us more willing to help the other.

As Anne Loehr points out in her terrific article, we all have the capacity for empathy.  While our levels of innate capacity might vary, with practice we can all increase our empathy for others.

When you meet with a prospective donor about a gift, they are expecting you to ask for an amount.  How often does a donor say, “I know you have something in mind,” “What did you want to ask me for?” or even “How can I help?"

The donor assumes you have something specific to ask for, because you set up the meeting.  What if you say, “would you consider a gift to the Settlement House”?  The phrase the donor hears is “a gift”, which translates to them as “any gift”.  It sends the message that any gift is a good gift. 

Read the full post to learn more and watch a 10-minute video on the subject.

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