[originaltext] All through school we’re taught to read, write, and speak—we’

All through school we’re taught to read, write, and speak—we’re never taught to listen. But while listening may be the most undervalued of all the communication skills, good managers are likely to listen more than they speak. Perhaps that’s why God gave us two ears and only one mouth.
    Some of the most successful managers are also the best listeners. I remember one manager in particular. He had been hired by a large corporation to assume the role of sales manager. But he knew absolutely nothing about the specifics of the business. When salespeople would go to him for answers, there wasn’t anything he could tell them—because he didn’t know anything! Nonetheless, this man really knew how to listen. So no matter what they would ask him, he’d answer, "What do you think you ought to do?" They’d come up with the solution; he’d agree; and they’d leave satisfied. They thought he was fantastic.
    He taught me this valuable listening technique, and I’ve been applying it ever since. Many of the problems! hear don’t require me to offer solution. I solve most of them by just listening and letting the complaining party do the talking. If I listen long enough, the person will generally come up with an ad-equate solution.