“Communication, my biggest issue is communication,” explained Lawrence. “That’s what it all boils down to. If we could just communicate, if we just would communicate more effectively, things would be better.”

“Do you have trouble speaking?” I asked.

“No,” he retorted. “I always know what I want to say.”

“Well, then it seems you have that part down. If talking is the one part of communication that you don’t have a problem with, what is the other part of the conversation?”

Lawrence was a bit chagrined. He was no dummy. “Listening,” he replied.

“Lawrence, if you would just listen, your customer will tell you how they want to be treated. If you would just listen, your team will tell you how to solve the problem. If you would just listen, your team member will tell you how they want to be motivated.

“Most managers think communication is all about talking, when, the critical part is all about listening.” -TF