The Greatest Skill

What is the one, single, most effective skill to have in life? If you had to rate one skill above all of the others, what would it be?

In my opinion, it's simple. We do it every day, and yet we don't do it all that well. We are often too preoccupied to really do it right. 

The consequences of doing it poorly are many, including failed marriages, failed businesses, poor customer service and strained relationships. So, what skill am I talking about? 

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You've probably guessed by now it's listening. The ability to listen well is perhaps the greatest skill one can learn and which can pay the biggest rewards throughout one's life and career.

Because our minds race ahead of what others say, we often fail to grasp the full impact, the full meaning, the full emotional undertone of the other person's words. When we do, we have done a disservice to them and to ourselves. 

Listening is not just hearing. We can hear noise and words, but we may not have listened. Listening implies we have heard and we have understood. Listening well helps us to really connect with the other person. It demonstrates you care and it helps you respond in the best possible way.

Looking for a skill to improve in the coming year? Listen up! Work on listening, not just to what others say, but what they mean.

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