“There are many ways of displaying active involvement in a conversation, ways that don’t entail jumping in and interrupting the other person’s every seven words. The trick isn’t to master every one of these techniques. Good listeners learn a few that they find comfortable and natural—and remember to put these few to work. It can be an occasional nod, or an uh-huh, or an I see. Some people like to shift their postures or lean forward in the chair. At appropriate moments, others smile or shake their heads. Strong eye contact is another way of indicating to your conversation-mate, “Yes, I am listening closely to what you are telling me.” And when the other person comes to a break in his or her talking, go ahead and ask a question that follows closely from what was just said. What’s important here isn’t the precise listening technique that is chosen. None of these methods should ever be used in a wooden or rote way. These are just a few approaches that are worth being mindful of when the moment feels right. They will make the other person happier about speaking with you.”