I think it's quite odd how we don't see things about ourselves, but others do.  We plainly see the faults of people around us but the things we do on a regular basis that are not up to par become lost in routine and "normal" behavior.  If we would periodically step back from our individual worlds and notice how we interact with friends, family, and co-workers we would see what they see and maybe the quirks that are present that interfere with more effective communication might disappear.  How many times have you started counting in your mind the number of times someone presents an eccentricity and totally missed the point of the conversation?  We also get preoccupied with what we want to say so when the other person is finished speaking we have completely tune out their half of the conversation and we have no idea what they were trying to impress upon us.  This is especially embarrassing when they end with a question.  Listening, like reading, is a floundering art.  My goal is to be better informed by others by extending the courtesy of paying more attention to them while they speak.  How can you improve communication between you and others?