Listen

How well do you listen? Do you wait until the other person finishes talking before you answer, or do you interrupt them in mid-sentence?

The greatest stars know the importance of listening. Cary Grant, for one, knew that he could be more noticed on screen listening and reacting than talkng. He was brilliant at letting other actors do the talking, while he stole the scene with his facial expressions and reactions. One of my favorites is the scene where he discovers the body in the film 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' His face says everything without the need for dialogue.

Resolve to spend the next two days giving your colleagues at work and your family members your full attention while they're talking. You'll be amazed how hard that will be at first, but try it. Just focus on what people are saying -- don't think about your next meeting, your other errands, or even the brilliant retort you're planning. Just listen. Then think before you respond. You'll find your conversations becoming deeper and more efficient almost immediately. Keep doing it and pretty soon more people at work will discuss their ideas with you because they know they'll get a fair hearing. You'll be invited to more meetings because they will value your opinion. Your children and spouse will share more with you, too, because they know you care.

Listen for a week. Then let me know how it worked out for you.