*This post is sponsored by Capital One, and I received compensation for my review. But, as always – all opinions are my own.
Ever since I was little, I have been told that my active listening skills are below average. Every standardized test scored me low in that area. So, growing up, it was something I was always aware of and trying to improve. But, these days, I think maybe it’s not just me…
The Power of Listening with Capital One
According to the Capital One Listen In survey, more than half of Americans feel they don’t often experience active listening from their friends, family members or colleagues.
Technology: A Blessing or a Curse When it Comes to Listening?
In marketing, the line of work that I’m in, you used to message someone 3-5 times for them to remember your brand or product. Now, it’s 12-15 times. In a day and age when the average American checks their phone once every 12 minutes – 80 times a day! – we have to stop and ask ourselves, are we really connecting? Are we really listening anymore?
Tap, Tap. Is this thing on?
A few months ago, for example, I was purchasing a new car. I’d had my old one for 13 years and decided it was finally time to make the change. So, I picked out 3 cars I wanted to test drive and went to the dealerships. We’re planning to grow our family, so I planned to test drive SUV’s.
At the first dealership that we went to, the salesperson didn’t listen to me at all. He asked what features were important to me and what color car and interior I wanted. He showed me almost every other option imaginable, except what I wanted. After 30-45 minutes, I said my goodbyes. Why didn’t he hear me? It didn’t even seem like he was trying?
The same thing happened when I had a general contractor come by recently to give me a quote on painting a few rooms and updating a backsplash. I could barely get a word in edgewise. When it comes to conversations where I’m paying for a service or making a big investment, I just want to be heard.
Capital One Knows We All Just Want to Be Heard.
I LOVE that Capital One is raising awareness on this topic with their Listen In program. It’s especially important to listen when it comes to your finances – whether that means getting advice from someone else or trusting your own internal voice about the financial decisions you’re making.
As you guys know, I attended the Listen In event at the Capital One Café in Miami Beach in early November. I had the chance to interview Wyclef Jean and Jazzy Amra about the importance and power of listening and what it has meant to them in their careers and upbringings. I even got to see them perform live. Check out the video below for a glance at my experience- see if you can spot me!
Do you have an example of a time you didn’t feel heard? Or, maybe you were the one who wasn’t listening. In either case, share your stories with me through the hashtag #BankingReimagined!
