We don't hear as much about The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey as we used to. If you haven't read it, it's well worth doing so at some stage. Or maybe get the CD and listen to it over a few car journeys.
I remember a few years ago when I heard Dr Covey speak live at a conference in London, he was asked "Dr Covey, for you personally, which is the toughest Habit to practise well?"
He replied Habit 5: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood"
I suspect it is for all of us. When we actually live and breathe that habit, the effects are remarkable. Give it a serious try, today.