One of the most underrated leadership skills is listening. Most would describe themselves as “good listeners,” but do we really understand what that means? Good, or more specifically, active listening has three main aspects. The first is cognitive. This means that you’re paying attention to all of the explicit and implicit information you’re receiving from the speaker and that you’re comprehending and integrating that information. The next is emotional. This has to do with your ability to stay calm and compassionate during the conversation and remove the emotional reactions you might be experiencing. The last element is behavioral. This refers to conveying interest and understanding in both verbal and nonverbal ways. Becoming a better listener is a life-long pursuit, but there are several exercises you can use to improve. Repeat people’s last few words back to them, and offer natural, nonverbal clues that you’re listening like nodding, eye contact, and an attentive posture. Avoid “putting things in your own words,” unless you qualify it with a need to check your comprehension. “I’m going to put this in my own words to make sure I’m understanding you,” will suffice. Ask more questions than you think you need to, and pay attention to the speaker’s nonverbal clues like their tone of voice, their body language, and where they become emotional. Your ability to actively listen will help your employees feel respected and understood and lead to better communication overall.