There is an old saying that most of our problems in life talk back.

A survey of executives last year concluded that 85 percent of executive success is associated with the ability to communicate effectively.

Your ability to communicate effectively is closely tied to your ability to perform effectively, to get the results for which you were hired. The quality of your communications with others will determine the quality of your life as a manager.

Small breakdowns in communications can lead to the most disastrous of consequences. So many crises in our lives, both personal and professional, are triggered by simple misunderstandings and sometimes the inappropriate or incorrect choice of words. Your greatest resource as an executive and your greatest source of personal power is your ability to communicate effectively.