Active listening is a delicate balance of attentiveness and emotional detachment. It's like being a ninja, but instead of throwing stars, you throw empathy.
Here are some techniques to help you achieve this state of being:
Develop a look that says, "Yes, I'm fully engaged, but also, I'm secretly counting the seconds until I can use the bathroom."
2. Paraphrasing the Boring PartsRepeat back everything your friend says, but with a dash of creativity and a pinch of boredom.
3. Asking the Obvious QuestionA question so obvious, it's almost not a question at all. Like, "So, you're saying it's a good idea?"
4. Pretending to RememberMention a detail that's not even true, and act like you just recalled it from a conversation that happened years ago.
5. Summarizing without Actually ReadingA bold, sweeping statement that's only vaguely related to what you actually heard.