A University of Minnesota study showed that nearly sixty percent of misunderstandings in the business world can be attributed to poor listening. The same study traced only one percent of misunderstandings to written communications. Summarizing and waiting for confirmation helps clear up confusion and avoid misunderstandings.

In today’s business world active listening is not enough. To be a great communicator — or what I call a “high voltage communicator” — we have to listen empathetically. When we listen empathetically, others feel seen, heard, and understood.