know that you understand his or her perspective conveys empathy, even if you don’t 
agree with the overall content of what was said.
Finally, effective listening requires listening with openness and awareness. Openness  
involves listening without trying to ﬁnd fault. Awareness  involves (1) being aware of how 
a communication ﬁts in with your own knowledge and experiences, and (2) being aware 
of any inconsistencies in the verbal message itself and the nonverbal aspects of the 
 communication, such as tone, posture, and facial expressions.
Exercise: Effective Listening
The next time you’re in a conversation, try some of the effective listening skills described 
above:
1. Make eye contact during the conversation.
2. Paraphrase what the other person says, and ask for clariﬁcation if you’re 
unsure about any aspect of the communication.
3. Give feedback when appropriate, making sure that your feedback is immedi -
ate, honest, and supportive.