If the three magic words in real estate are location, location, location, then the three magic words in relationships are communication, communication, communication. But just as some locations are more desirable than others, some types of communication are more fruitful than others. More talking doesn’t necessarily translate into better outcomes. Sometimes, as the song goes, the words just get in the way.

Although we tend to think of good communicators as being good speakers, speaking is only one half of the communication equation. The other, perhaps even more important half is listening. A good listener is a good communicator because what he or she is helping to produce in that listening are greater understanding and an enhanced connection.