Relationships 2.0 With Dr. Michelle Skeen

Last Friday, I had the privilege of speaking to students in Ms. Rhynes’ English class from Oakland Tech High School for the 3rd Annual Literacy Field Trip hosted at Barnes and Noble in Emeryville, California. Barbara Tavres, the Community Business Development Manager at B&N, and Ms. Rhynes partnered together several years ago because they both believe in the power of reading and the written word. Each student is given a $75 gift card to purchase books. Their preference was to have my co-author and daughter, Kelly Skeen, speak to the students about our book Communication Skills for Teens: How to Listen, Express and Connect for Success. But she was in Washington DC studying for final exams, so they got stuck with me. Kelly and I decided that I should present the foundational chapter of our book, “How to Really Listen,” since listening well is the key component for successful relationships in all areas of our lives. The students got really involved when we discussed common blocks to listening. In honor o