Listening is the most frequent type of communication any of us does on a daily basis. Listening is first and foremost an active process. You cannot comprehend information, retain it, or respond appropriately to what you hear from others without focused attention. Listening requires effort. Competent communicators avoid shift responses, competitive interruptions, glazing over, pseudolistening, ambushing, defensiveness, and content-only responses. The competent communicator recognizes when informational, critical, and empathic types of listening are appropriate and effective. Be an informational listener when the principal focus of the communication is learning or retaining information. Be a critical listener when you need to find solutions to problems or make decisions that have consequences for yourself and others. Be an empathic listener when you are trying to build or maintain a relationship with another person who comes to you with a problem or crisis.
