In poker, we observe our opponents to understand how they play their cards. Once we understand how our opponent thinks, we adjust our strategy to counter their strategy. By understanding how our opponent thinks, we are able to win more than our fair share of pots. Our opponents naturally react to variables within their environment. If our opponent has a bad beat, most amateur players will immediately blame their opponent's bad play. The good players use each past situation as a way to improve their poker skills. Regardless of each outcome, the good players are always improving their skills at the table. Effectively communicating with other people is very similar to poker. People in society have different ways of thinking about the world. If we understand how other people view the world, we can adjust our communication style to have a good conversation with them.

We have to first pay attention to how people view the world and then talk in a manner that suits their style. If we encounter a person who likes sports, we should detect it and talk about sports. If we encounter a person who likes television, we should pick up on it and inquire about certain shows. The worse communicators are the people who are unable to see other people's perspective. People who roam the world thinking about their own ?cards? all the time are not effective communicators. The greatest communicators never really look down at their 'cards'. They are always observing their environment, always trying to understand how other people think. Poker is a great game because it has taught me a lot about effective communication.

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