WHAT IS EMPATHY?
Empathy is more than just sympathizing with someone. It means you can feel what someone else feels. Empathy is easy if you share a similar experience with someone, but what if that's not the case -- especially in the context of business? Realtors are dealing with home buyers and sellers who are often REALLY emotional about the process. People sometimes move because of divorce, a death in the family and a variety of other very emotional experiences. It's important to try to be empathetic with these clients.
HOW EMPATHY CHANGES YOUR POSITIONING
Why not start from a position of empathy? Because when you take a position of empathy, it becomes easier for YOU as well. Take a beat before you call a lead and think, "I'm going to feel for this person." It's so simple to be empathetic with a lead or prospect's thinking, what's the harm in doing it? You might get beat up during a cold call, but the chances are less likely if you have empathy for their situation. In fact, you can even turn a call that's going poorly around, simply by being understanding of what that person is going through. It doesn't cost you anything to be empathetic.
EMPATHETIC CARING LINES UP WITH GIVE-GIVE-GIVE ASK
Empathetic caring lines up perfectly with what we talked about on the previous episode, the Give-Give-Give Ask formula. Start with empathy, give them what they want, provide them with a lot free information that they need and don't expect anything in return. Instead of being confrontational and working to overcome objections, be empathetic. Give-Give-Give Ask, and expect nothing in return. That is really effective.
TRUSTING THAT EMPATHY IS A VALID BUSINESS MODEL
My systematic approach is to always and constantly be giving. It works. You can trust that empathy is a valid business model. When you 'feel' the pain of a buyer or seller, you position yourself to be tuned into their needs instead of your own.
