Actively listening is the process of attending to a speaker’s words, using non-verbal cues to gauge intent, and communicating attentiveness through verbal signals and body language. Here are a few tips:
Make periodic eye contact with the speaker.
Listen without planning what you’ll say next.
Nod, smile, and interject short agreements, like “Yes.”
Resist the urge to interrupt.
Ask questions during natural pauses in the conversation.
Demonstrate and check comprehension by paraphrasing or summarizing what you heard.