Listening

Listening is more than hearing what is said.
Listening happens when we put in the effort to understand what the person is trying to convey.
Listening implies avoiding immediate judgment, prejudice, assumptions, rebuttal, or criticism.
Listening avoids interrupting, evaluating, solving the problem, or jumping to an answer.

Listening is difficult, and it requires more than focus. It's a skill that requires practice, persistence, effort, and, most important, the intention to acknowledge what isn't said.