Detroit Real Estate

Marianne is still fighting cancer.  It has taken over so many of her functions.  As I sit by my wife's bedside I wish to share something I watched her do over and over.  It's something all of us try to learn but my wife had a God given talent.  She was able to engage people like none other.  She had the special talent of anybody that met her, loved her.  She had the special way of engaging people.  A special way of friending people.

She was like Santa Claus in a woman's body.  Her sparkling blue eyes, infectious smile, and body language that made people feel comfortable.  She was a sight to see with young kids.  She would squat, kneel, or sit and talk to those kids like she was their best friend.  I myself have a voice that scares young kids so I could never do what she did.

She was the sounding board for people's problems.  She would spend hours on the phone, or sitting with somebody "LISTENING" to their problems.  Even if it was the same problem over and over.  That's the way it always was.  Many people get bossy, or irritated in those situations but she would just listen.

Here is what she would do:

• 1. Get down to their level, sit if they are sitting, stand if they are standing.
• 2. Ask questions about the person that she is talking to. She wouldn't talk about herself, other to identify with the person relating a story of hers that made the person she was talking to realize she was like them.
• 3. Look into their eyes and nod while talking
• 4. Re-affirm what the person was saying
• 5. She would lightly touch the person.... On the hand, on the arm making the "connection"
• 6. But most of all she listened far more than she talked
• 7. Listen, Listen, Listen

It is something we all try to do as real estate people, something we try to learn and improve upon each year.  But my wife had the talent.  I was always afraid she would be abducted by some wacko, because her smile and eyes invited people.  You know us guys we fall for women that give us the time of day, talk, and smile at us.  We take it as this lady likes us.  Marianne could stand anywhere, strike up a conversation, and become a friend before she walked away.

No ulterior motive, but she could "Win friends, and influence people".  That's the way she was.     So I give you her tips to share.  To become a better person, because listening to your kids, your friends, your loved ones will build communication and make you a better friend.