How to Make Them Say You Have Super Sensitivity

Whenever you're on the phone with someone, you hear a lot more

than their voices. In the background you might hear dogs barking, babies crying, or a crackling sound. For all you know, the dog

has his tail caught in the refrigerator, the baby has to be fed, or

the house is on fire. When you acknowledge the sound by asking if they have to take care of it, you warm the hearts of your

listeners.

When you are talking to someone at work, you often hear

another phone ringing. Say immediately, "I hear your other line.

Do you have to answer it?" Even if not, he or she will appreciate

the gesture. If he does have to catch the other call, you can be sure

he heard nothing you said after the first ring. He's only thinking

"How can I interrupt this babbling person without being rude so

I can answer my other phone?" In fact with every brr-ing, irritation sets in that you are holding him hostage from doing what he

has to do.

Here is the technique guaranteed to save you from being in

that uncomfortable position.

The subtext, of course, is that you are sensitive to what's going

on in your caller's world. If you're talking to someone far away or

in another country, another way to show you're tops in the com257

How to Make Them

Say You Have Super

Sensitivity

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munications department is to translate time references into their

time zone. When you leave a message, say "I can be reached

between three and five your time."

And don't forget foreign holidays. Last July 1, I was on the

phone with a client from Australia. I was impressed when he

wished me "Happy Independence Day weekend." So impressed,

in fact, I ran out to find a chart of international holidays. I made

a note in my calendar next January 26 to wish my Aussie friend

"Happy Australia Day."

If you do business with people around the world, be sure to

extend good wishes to them for their holidays. Forget about your

own if they're not shared. I'm still mortified about the time last

November when I was on a conference call with a Canadian

client and seven of his salespeople. I wished them all "Happy

Thanksgiving