We mistake listening as easy because it looks passive and instinctive, but in reality it’s hard work. Really listening (and not just appearing to listen) requires intense concentration and a good deal of mental energy.
Active listening, as the name implies requires effort. It is much more than simply "hearing" what is being said. This article will show you how to improve your listening skills to make you a better conversationalist, and a more empathetic friend, spouse, parent or partner.
Comprehending: To communicate, we must first understand what the other person (or people) are actually saying.
Retaining: To respond in an appropriate manner, we must understand and retain what the other person has said.
Responding: An active response should show that we understand what the other person has said, have paid attention to their words and also read their non-verbal cues.
One of the greatest gifts any of us can ever receive is the gift of listening. It is also one of the greatest gifts we can ever give. Unfortunately, it appears to be a lost art. We live in a world where everyone is talking but few are listening.
I like to think of the way we speak with one another as the "Art of Communication." There are courses taught on this subject, but it seems to be geared towards strengthening public speaking and writing skills, which is great if you're going into public speaking.
Talking to another person mindfully should be because you're wanting to "connect" with whomever you're speaking with from a place that is present, kind and respectful.
Make a conscious effort to bring out the best in someone else through your communication.
This makes communicating less "me-centric," which is talking to hear yourself talk, or talking "at" someone rather than "with" them, or being more interested in wanting to "capture" their attention for some kind of pay off.