When you are sensitive to other people’s feelings and listen patiently without judgment, they are more willing to share and engage with you. – Susan van der Walt (Silent Courage)
In my debut book, Silent Courage: An Introvert’s Authentic Journey with Hearing Loss, I discuss the importance of listening with your heart—something I experienced deeply during one of the most challenging times in my life.
The severance package I received after my retrenchment was running out, and I had failed to secure a job. It was heartbreaking to consider selling my house to earn money to live, but I knew we had no choice.
When I began contacting various estate agents, I couldn’t hide my emotion and despair. Most of them could only arrange to see me in a few days, but I couldn’t bear to wait.
I couldn’t stand to drag the process out any longer, as I knew it could take months to sell a house. So, I searched Google until I found an estate agent – *Mark Houghton – with excellent ratings and reviews.
Mark immediately picked up on the emotion in my voice – sensing my desperation – and agreed to come and see us that same morning.
Being so distraught, I talked more about why we needed to sell the house and unburden my heart than the business side we needed to address. But Mark took it in his stride, patiently listening and answering our questions.
Although I decided not to sign a sole mandate, after Mark’s time with us and his compassion, I knew this was not only about getting the sale, but he cared.
That is why I was willing to sign a sole mandate: Unlike many agents who won’t make much effort with a sole mandate, I knew that Mark would go the extra mile to sell our place as soon as possible.
Mark promptly arranged for a professional photographer to take photos and video footage of our home. Those photos were fantastic, and I hardly recognised my home.
Mark came to see us on Friday morning, and by the following Friday, he had arranged for two visits. Before he left that day, we had an offer to purchase at our advertised price!
Even though my heart still aches when I think about that time, I will forever remember Mark. He was an angel in disguise who made a horrible experience bearable. He was a true example of someone who mastered listening with his heart!
Purchase my book on Amazon to learn more about my journey and how listening with your heart can transform challenges.
Quiet Words that Linger.
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