Today’s employees expect more out of the workplace experience than ever before. One of their greatest expectations is to be heard. Clearly, the days of “It’s my way or the highway” are over.

When a senior citizen dials 911, the assumption is that they must be having a medical emergency. But more often than you might think the reason for the call is not that at all -- they're just lonely and want someone to talk to. And it’s not just older adults who seek a sense of belonging.

How good of a listener are you? Do you truly hear and understand what your colleagues, customers, friends or family really want? Frankly, people are just not good listeners. We always get very excited about what we can say or do next that we sometimes forget to be in the moment and listen and learn from what we can hear from others.

Remember how easy it was to make friends as a kid? It was as if you could walk up to anyone and instantaneously become best friends with them.