Gauge Pre-qualification

Congratulations! If you’ve reached this point, you’ve already learned two of the most important communication skills in the Engage System. You learned how to Elicit Interest by creating curiosity and opening the conversation. You learned how to Navigate Their Needs by asking meaningful questions, listening with intention, and understanding the other person’s world. Now it’s time to bring those skills together. 

Welcome to Gauge. This section is different from everything you’ve learned so far. The communication skills haven’t changed. You’re still listening. You’re still asking questions. You’re still observing. What’s changing is what you’re listening for. 

As you begin learning more about someone, it’s natural to feel like you understand them. That’s where many conversations begin to go in the wrong direction. The more information people gather, the more likely they are to make assumptions. Instead of remaining curious, they begin believing they already know what the other person is thinking. That’s why Gauge is one of the most important parts of the Engage System. Here, you’ll learn how to gauge yourself before you gauge someone else. You’ll learn how to recognize uncertainty without making assumptions. You’ll learn how to use everything you’ve already learned without allowing your emotions, excitement, or conclusions to get ahead of the conversation. 

Think back to our mountain analogy. Everything you’ve learned so far has been preparing you for this climb. Now you’re approaching the summit. This is where many people lose their footing, not because they lack communication skills, but because they stop using them. The better you become at gauging yourself and the other person, the easier every conversation becomes from this point forward. Let’s begin.