b"Chapter 8Listening is also about giving people enough time to interact with you. We live in a world where time is of the essence, and we all try to fit in more than one life and for most of us we don't always have the time to give to our loved ones, friends, and co-workers.Additionally, technology has somewhat eroded our ability to build meaningful relationships.Being present in your time with people is also important, so that when you're with someone, you're really with someone and not dwelling on the past or the future. The connection we make with others is the stumbling block of our existence, and devoting time, energy, and effort to developing and building relationships is one of life's most valuable skills. Communication happens when someone understands you, not just when you talk. One of the greatest dangers of communication is that we can work on the assumption that the other person has understood the message we are trying to convey.Poor communication can lead to a culture of backstabbing and blame, which in turncanaffectourstresslevels,especiallywhenwedon'tunderstand something, or feel they have been misled. It can also have a positive effect on morale when it works well and motivates individuals to be proactive.Communicatingisalsomanagingmobiletechnology.Nowadays,almost everyone has a mobile phone, and many people even have two or more. While they are a lifesaver in an emergency and an effective communication tool,theycanalsobeacompletedistractionwhenpeopleshowalackof mobile phone etiquette.Learn how to give and receive feedback. Feedback, in my opinion, is the food of progress, and while it may not always be delicious, it can be very good for you.The ability to provide constructive feedback to others helps them tap into their personalpotentialandcanhelpforgepositiveandmutuallybeneficial relationships.From your point of view, any feedback you receive is free information that you can choose to include or not. It can help tap into your personal potential and provide you with a different perspective. 238Germain Decelles"