This is the kind of book busy managers love to read: short, focused, practical, and insightful, the text discusses the keys to effective listening, which Murphy, a management consultant, considers the single most important requirement for success in business. Most of the author's information is neatly grouped into tips for breakng down barriers to effective listening. Although much seat-of-the-pants wisdom is contained here, the book's pragmatic, troubleshooting orientation is exactly what most managers want and need. And should anyone doubt the author's advice, his well-selected examples of management failures will surely convince them that poor listening impedes productivity and lowers employee morale. Perhaps more middle managers would still be around today if they had heeded Murphy's advice.