It's no secret that the art of effective communication is on the decline. Between the rise of technology and the increasingly erosive political landscape, Americans feel less connected and more divided than ever.

In an incredibly timely and insightful book, NPR veteran Celeste Headlee outlines strategies to become a better conversationalist and improve communication skills:

Be there or go elsewhere. Human beings are incapable of multitasking, and this is especially true of tasks that involve language. Think you can type up a few emails while on a business call, or hold a conversation with your child while texting your spouse? Think again.

Check your bias. The belief that your intelligence protects you from erroneous assumptions can end up making you more vulnerable to them. We all have blind spots that affect the way we view others. Check your bias before you judge someone else.

Hide your phone. Don't just put down your phone, put it away. New research suggests that the mere presence of a cell phone can negatively impact the quality of a conversation.

Freshman Common Read: High Point University, Western Carolina University, University of Georgia