Consultative selling is a customer-centric sales approach that prioritizes building long-term relationships and understanding a buyer's unique needs through open dialogue and active listening. It involves acting as a trusted advisor to diagnose problems and prescribe tailored solutions rather than focusing on a quick, transactional product pitch. A person who rates their abilities in consultative selling should be skilled at asking insightful questions, conducting needs discovery, and positioning offerings as specific solutions to a client's challenges. They should also possess strong empathy and the ability to maintain ongoing partnerships to drive long-term value and satisfaction.