Which of the following best describes effective listening skills?

Effective listening skills involve actively engaging with the speaker and providing feedback to ensure understanding and encourage a productive dialogue. This means not just hearing the words but also being emotionally and intellectually involved in the conversation. When you engage fully with the speaker, you demonstrate interest and create a supportive environment that facilitates open communication.

Providing feedback is essential; it shows that you are attentive and allows for clarification of points, ensuring both parties are aligned in their understanding. This approach also fosters a sense of mutual respect and collaboration, making it more likely that the conversation will be meaningful and productive.

In contrast, solely focusing on the speaker may cause you to miss important non-verbal cues or context, while responding to questions without any feedback can lead to misunderstandings or assumptions. Additionally, taking notes while avoiding eye contact detracts from the connection with the speaker and may signal disinterest. Thus, the combination of full engagement and feedback is what truly characterizes effective listening skills.