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To make sure the message we sent is the message that's received, ask the listener to reflect it back.

One way to determine that someone is actually listening is to have that person reflect back what had been said: we ask the person to take an action that we ourselves can see or hear. If the other party can tell us what was just said, we know that person heard and was indeed listening to us.

"Listen and learn" isn't a bad motto; neither is "Listen and lead." In most organizations the leader's example sets the tone for everyone else. One of the greatest and most neglected skills in leadership is the ability to listen. If someone told me that leadership is as easy as one, two, three, I'd reply, "Only if the one, two, and three are as follows: 1. Listen 2. Learn 3. Lead"

Listen to what people are needing rather than what they are thinking.

'The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.' Rachel Naomi Remen

Being listened to and heard is one of the greatest desires of the human heart. And those who learn to listen are the most loved and respected. Those who are in the habit of correcting others are often resented and avoided.

'My best advice is listen, listen rather than talk. I was never bright in school, but I was a very good listener, and I still am. I have a better life because of it. When I meet people, I'm curious about their story, about how they did what they did. Along the way you meet people smarter than you and they teach you what you don't already know. So I listen to them, take away my little titbits, and off I go

Quality collaboration is only possible in the presence of quality communication; that is, the free-flowing and robust exchange of information, ideas, and opinions. And "having big ears"--the skill of being a great listener--is the first law of good communication.