Active Listening Mechanics

Active listening is not just nodding and making eye contact — it has specific mechanical components:

• Suspend internal monologue — stop rehearsing your response while they speak
• Track the structure — is this a yes/no, open, or multi-part question?
• Note emotional subtext — are they asking for information or reassurance?
• Identify the real question — the stated question is not always the actual one
• Wait one full second after they finish before responding