The Best Talkers

Larry King states that there are eight things the best talkers have in common:

1. They look at things from a new angle, taking unexpected points of view on familiar subjects.
2. They have broad horizons. They think about, and talk about, a wide range of issues and experiences beyond their own daily lives.
3. They are enthusiastic, displaying a passion for what they're doing with their lives and an interest in what you're saying to them at the moment.
4. They don't talk about themselves all the time.
5. They are curious. They ask "Why?" They want to know more about what you're telling them.
6. They empathize. They try to put themselves in your places to relate to what you're saying.
7. They have sense of humor. And they don't mind using it on themselves. In fact, the best conversationalists frequently tell stories on themselves.
8. They have their own style of talking.

(From the book How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secret of Good Communication by Larry King with Bill Gilbert, Crown Publishers, Inc. NY, 1994)

Succeed

When I was in my early twenties, I read books on the lives of successful businessmen and successful businesses. As I developed more of an interest in sales field, I began to concentrate on books having to do with salesmanship. When I began to think about starting a business, I started reading books on operating small businesses and on business management. I find that most of my business reading now has to do with motivation, professional management of larger organization, business and philosophy.
(Everett T. Suters in his book Succeed in spite of Yourself)