In my 15 years of practicing and teaching meditation, the most important thing I've learned is that the ability to pause before reacting is the ultimate superpower.

Great communicators are impactful because they're excellent listeners and keen observers. Master the art of observation, and you'll be ahead of the masses.

Here are 5 ways that excellent communicators cultivate this essential skill:

1. They validate other people's feelings with phrases like:

"Of course!" and "That makes sense!" and "I get that!"

2. They create a sense of safety in a conversation that is free of judgement, fault-finding, or rejection.

3. They follow their natural curiosity and ask questions that show interest in the other person.

4. They mindfully listen with their whole body instead of trying to multi-task.

5. They hear what's beneath the words by tuning into the speaker's tone and body language.

Listening mindfully means you're fully present in the moment, allowing you to absorb the speaker's entire message, and the other person feels heard and respected.

This is why the practice of mindfulness is imperative for developing great communication skills - you learn to be fully present by cultivating empathy, which is the prerequisite for becoming an excellent communicator. Mindful listening is how you'll learn to let go of reactions and distractions that block your understanding, so that you remain open and receptive to other people's ideas.

Here's how you'll know you're getting better:

You will no longer feel the need to bring up a relatable story about yourself when someone is telling you something about themselves, and you just...listen.