Listening Is One Skill Too Easy to Forget

 Empathetic listening makes others feel valued and respected. Unfortunately, listening is one skill too easy to forget.

We often focus on communication mechanics, such as writing effectively and speaking clearly. However, listening is the most powerful communication skill. Unfortunately, it’s also the one skill most easily forgotten.

The Most Overlooked Communication Skill

When we think we already know what someone will say, or when we’re distracted by the next task, our attention fades. We may nod while mentally drafting our response. In that moment, real communication stops.

What Active Listening Looks Like

Listening is an intentional act. Active listening means being fully present, maintaining eye contact, asking questions, and summarizing what you’ve heard. It requires patience and curiosity. Empathetic listening makes others feel valued and respected.

When people feel heard, they become more open and committed to finding solutions together.

Make Listening a Daily Practice

Listening takes discipline in a noisy, fast-paced business world. These are a few ways to strengthen your active listening skills and become more empathetic.

• Pause before you respond.

• Pause after you speak two or three sentences.

• Ask clarifying questions (avoid jumping to conclusions).

• Eliminate distractions (silence your phone, close your laptop).

• Look the speaker in the eye.

• Show body language that indicates you are fully engaged.

• Let the other person have the last word.

The more you practice listening, the better your communication becomes. Business meetings grow more productive, trusting relationships develop, and collaboration occurs.

The best communicators aren’t defined by how much they say, but by how well they listen.

Listening Is a Learned Skill

Listening takes effort. Planning what to say next is one way to know you are not actively listening. The “listening” problem is that real understanding disappears the moment we stop truly paying attention. On the other hand, empathetic listening makes others feel valued and respected.