When you listen empathetically, you don’t just hear words. You hear thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Empathic listening is highly active and requires hard work.

Following the steps below will help you to improve your listening skills.

1. The first step is to decide to listen and concentrate on the speaker.
2. Then, use your imagination and enter the speaker’s situation. Concentrate and try to imagine his or her frame of reference and point of view.

3. Observe the speaker’s vocal inflection, enthusiasm or lack of it, and style of delivery. These are essential components of the message. If you are speaking face-to-face, pay attention to the speaker’s facial expressions and other nonverbal cues for more insight into the message.

4. Listen without interruption. Note key phrases or use word associations to remember the speaker’s content.

5. Use paraphrasing or clarifying questions to confirm that you received the intended message. Check your perceptions of how the speaker is feeling to put the text of the message in emotional context.

6. Finally, provide feedback to the speaker.

These skills will show you to be an amazing communicator who people love to connect with.