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Nearly everyone thinks he's a good listener, but few people actually are. You can be a good listener, though. Remember: The gift of profound listening is among the most difficult to give and the most beneficial to receive.
What You Could Do Today
The key? Listen profoundly. In an important conversation, devote 100 percent of yourself to hearing not only what the person is saying, but also what's beneath the words. Listening requires all of your attention -- there's no room for judging or devising solutions. When the person stops talking and you sense more could be said, just wait, and then say, "mm-hmm," or ask a question that encourages him to say more.
It may be too scary to use this difficult technique in your next important conversation. Try it first in a safe situation, perhaps by role-playing a difficult conversation with a friend.