"Good listeners attract people like an ice cream truck attracts kids. Why? Good listeners offer goodies even better than fudgesicles (if that’s even possible): validation, affirmation, and trust. In addition, skilled listening is one-half of good communication, which is the foundation of any healthy relationship," writes Ellen Hendriksen, PhD (photo, left).
"But being a good listener goes way beyond just not interrupting or nodding your head until it’s your turn to talk. Here are 5 ways to make your conversation partner feel like you’re fully tuned in to their personal radio station."
See the 5 ways or listen to the podcast . . .
"It may seem counterintuitive, but the way to achieve success is to make the people around you successful, says Fred Halstead, author of 
"Actually, it’s not just managers that don’t listen – it’s also employees, husbands, wives, kids, students, teachers, and just about human being with two ears. However, this is a management and leadership resource, so we’ll stick with listening in the context of a management skill," writes Dan McCarthy (photo, left) at his website.
