Maintain eye contact and an open, relaxed posture
Face the speaker and reduce distractions
Listen without interrupting
Wait for the speaker to finish before responding
Use short verbal acknowledgments (e.g., “I see,” “Go on”)
Reflect key points back to the speaker (e.g., “So you’re saying…”)
Summarize what you heard periodically (e.g., “What I’m hearing is…”)
Ask clarifying questions to confirm understanding
Use open-ended questions to invite more detail
Paraphrase the speaker’s message in your own words
Pay attention to tone, pacing, and emotions
Notice and set aside assumptions or judgments
Avoid planning your response while the other person is speaking
Confirm facts or specifics when needed
Validate feelings appropriately (e.g., “That sounds frustrating”)
Respond with relevant thoughts, not unrelated topics
Match your response tone to the situation
Be mindful of nonverbal cues (nodding, facial expressions, gestures)
Allow silence when the speaker needs time to think
Practice active listening in everyday conversations
After the conversation, check whether you understood correctly
Seek feedback on your listening from trusted people