If I may contribute some offerings to this discussion: * Computer mediated communications - knowing how to say what through which medium for maximum impact. * Civil Discourse - In other words, disagreement does not equate to disrespect. The ability to accept constructive (or not) feedback - tolerance. The ability to exercise influence, persuasion. The book "Difficult Conversations" is a gold mine as it dives in to accepting personal accountability and avoidance of "the blame game". * Social Constructs - Diversity in Religions and Politics, Gender vs Sexuality, Ethical and Moral diversions, etc. But when I back up and look at this outside the box there seems to be a few common denominators. Most of the aforementioned are learned through well rounded management classes and/or a holistic and diverse college experience, the other learned simply through life experience. The former is teachable, the latter not so much. So that leaves me with things more personally relevant, and perhaps relevant to this discussion: * Understanding relationships - the ability to read people and their interactions. Sounds simple right? Its how I learn information - I relate new material to what I already know and build the bridge or "link" through the difference or deviation. This construct can be applied to people and the quantifiable observations we make today through social networking research. I can sit down at an executive meeting (even ones that require caffeine and my iPhone) and know by body language, tone, engagement, approach, content - the general "linguistics" and human interaction, what the socio-environmental relationship is between everyone at the meeting allowing me to navigate the politics (or discussion) accordingly. * Knowing vs Understanding (the "knowing-doing gap") - tightening this relationship. Being able to acknowledge when someone knows an answer or content, but doesn't truly understand it. And when someone might need further assistance or mentorship because of said gap. True academics/professors possess this keen ability. * Understanding Collaboration - the wisdom of the crowd, etc. How the community matters, and how it contributes to success/progress/achievement/etc. This encompasses corporate policy structure, sociology, psychology, cultural behaviors, etc. Malcom Gladwell addresses this in "Outliers". * Translating the kinetic affects of non-kinetic assets - how technology impacts business/worker productivity or return on investment, substantiates its value. Taking something technical and explaining it sociologically. I hope this makes sense... I don't know if I can articulate this effectively enough to communicate the point. HTH, -- Thomas Jones http://www.TheOtherTomJones.com http://twitter.com/OtherTomJones http://www.linkedin.com/in/TheOtherTomJones