--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Communication is the most important skill…" description: "\"Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years learning how ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/stephen-covey-339_communicate_communication-is-the-most-important-skil_2055703.png" --- # Communication is the most important skill in life. We… ![“Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years learning how to read and write, years learning how to speak. But what about listening?” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/stephen-covey-339_communicate_communication-is-the-most-important-skil_2055703.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/stephen-covey-339_communicate_communication-is-the-most-important-skil_2055703.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/stephen-covey-339_communicate_communication-is-the-most-important-skil_2055703.png) > “Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years learning how to read and write, years learning how to speak. But what about listening?” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Listening is a vital, often neglected skill essential for effective communication. **In simple terms:** Listening matters more than speaking. Key Takeaway Practice active listening daily. Themes communication mindfulness relationships Mood thoughtful motivational Type self‑help leadership When to use this quote - team meetings - personal relationships - customer service - conflict resolution Key Concepts active listening empathy feedback loops Questions to Reflect On - What barriers prevent you from listening fully? - How can you improve your listening habits? A Different Perspective Listening requires patience and focus, which can be difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicate/) [Communicating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicating/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communication Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication-important-547497/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important Skill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-skill-596617/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Read And Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-and-write/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-listening-1932739/) [Waking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [Communication is the most important single activity of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/communication-is-the-most-important-single-activity-of-man/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Since in order to speak, one must first listen, learn to speak by listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/since-in-order-to-speak-one-must-first-listen-learn-to-speak-by/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [Learn to speak by listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/learn-to-speak-by-listening/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“You should speak about another, as though they were listening to your conversation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-j-forde-2/you-should-speak-about-another-as-though-they-were-listening-to-your/) [Charmaine J. Forde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-j-forde-2/) > [“Speaking up is important. Yet to speak up without listening is like banging pots and pans together: Even if it gets you attention, it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-barreca/speaking-up-is-important-yet-to-speak-up-without-listening-is-like/) [Gina Barreca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-barreca/) > [We're always working on our communication, which is something that's important. Instead of going through managers to discuss things, we will sit down and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccready/we-re-always-working-on-our-communication-which-is-something-that-s/) [Mike McCready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccready/) > [Clear communication is always important in central banking, but it can be especially important when economic conditions call for further policy stimulus but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bernanke/clear-communication-is-always-important-in-central-banking-but-it-can/) [Ben Bernanke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bernanke/) > [Clarity of communication is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-su/clarity-of-communication-is-important/) [Lisa Su](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-su/) > [In many companies, the person who talks the best usually gets the job. I got snowed by a few of those people over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mackey/in-many-companies-the-person-who-talks-the-best-usually-gets-the-job/) [John Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mackey/) > [Communication is always important, but it's a separate type of language in football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-luiz/communication-is-always-important-but-it-s-a-separate-type-of/) [David Luiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-luiz/) > [An artist's voice, communication, that's very important. The learning, the building of your energy to communicate deeper and deeper even without words, the expanse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuseppe-andrews/an-artist-s-voice-communication-that-s-very-important-the-learning/) [Giuseppe Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuseppe-andrews/) > [I always ask my actors with whom they'd like to work. Before shooting we discuss how their characters are supposed to have sex. Everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-lust/i-always-ask-my-actors-with-whom-they-d-like-to-work-before-shooting/) [Erika Lust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-lust/) > [Communication is important, it's all split-second decisions. You need that cooperation and it has to work 100%. When it doesn't work, you concede goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/communication-is-important-it-s-all-split-second-decisions-you-need/) [Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/) > [COMMUNICATION is not an important part of a RELATIONSHIP- COMMUNICATION is the RELATIONSHIP. Without it there is not a RELATIONSHIP.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/communication-is-not-an-important-part-of-a-relationship/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Without judging anyone, communication is so important for a coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-farke/without-judging-anyone-communication-is-so-important-for-a-coach/) [Daniel Farke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-farke/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Communicate quotes > [Verbs allow you to communicate a story in a much more converged or involuntary way for a reader. The verbs allow you to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/verbs-allow-you-to-communicate-a-story-in-a-much-more-converged-or/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [I have learned so much from my dad. Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned from my dad is how to be prepared at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-sekulow/i-have-learned-so-much-from-my-dad-perhaps-the-biggest-thing-i-ve/) [Jay Sekulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-sekulow/) > [Even people who can't communicate can fall in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaejoong/even-people-who-can-t-communicate-can-fall-in-love/) [Jaejoong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaejoong/) > [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/) [L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/) > [Always being on the move has strange consequences. I meet so many amazing people, for a night, or sometimes just a few days. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-claus/always-being-on-the-move-has-strange-consequences-i-meet-so-many/) [Gaspar Claus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-claus/) > [“Even without words, you communicate through touch, body language, and facial expression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmel-sheridan/even-without-words-you-communicate-through-touch-body-language-and/) [Carmel Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmel-sheridan/) > [I could say that making clothes is my way of communicating, because I was always so shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-gaultier/i-could-say-that-making-clothes-is-my-way-of-communicating-because-i/) [Jean Paul Gaultier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-gaultier/) > [I think there's confusion around what the point of social networks is. A lot of different companies characterized as social networks have different goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/i-think-there-s-confusion-around-what-the-point-of-social-networks-is/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [Language just gradually came in, one or two stressed words a time. Before then, I would just scream. I couldn't talk. I couldn't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/language-just-gradually-came-in-one-or-two-stressed-words-a-time/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Had Elijah Muhammad tried to introduce an orthodox form of Arab-oriented Islam, I doubt if he would have attracted 500 people, but he introduced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henrik-clarke/had-elijah-muhammad-tried-to-introduce-an-orthodox-form-of-arab/) [John Henrik Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henrik-clarke/) > [Must whales and dolphins be subjected to deafening noise that will cause more than 3.5 million instances of temporary and/or permanent hearing loss? For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/must-whales-and-dolphins-be-subjected-to-deafening-noise-that-will/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > [My wish for humanity is to invent a way to communicate between us and whatever comes next. And in the end that we the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugata-mitra/my-wish-for-humanity-is-to-invent-a-way-to-communicate-between-us-and/) [Sugata Mitra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugata-mitra/) > [Having people around you that are honest with you, and having a team around you that can actually track and communicate where things are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muneshine/having-people-around-you-that-are-honest-with-you-and-having-a-team/) [Muneshine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muneshine/) > [The most important thing for a director is being able to communicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/the-most-important-thing-for-a-director-is-being-able-to-communicate/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [Sourav's greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. He encourages his team, is a great motivator and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/sourav-s-greatest-asset-is-his-ability-to-communicate-he-is-a/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) [Browse all 2,325 Communicate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years learning how to read and write, years learning how to speak. 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