Power Verbs: The Complete Collection

Introduction

There is little doubt that communication is one of man’s most important tools. We use the tool (speaking, listening, graphic expression, and writing) to help us make sense of our world, to interact with other people, to network, and to express our feelings, moods, and intent. Communication, particularly with our words, affects who and what we are as a species, and it is one of the key things that differentiate us from other species. In fact, our species (Homo sapiens) managed to overpower and eliminate two earlier human species (Neanderthal and Homo erectus) who had far less communication skills than Homo sapiens.

There is a quote attributed to Plutarch—although there are no sources that can trace it to him—which says, “When Cicero ...