Active listening means paying close attention to the person who is speaking to you. People who are active listeners are well-regarded by their friends and other people because of the attention and respect they offer others.

While it seems simple, this is a skill that can be hard to develop and improve. You can be an active listener by focusing on the speaker, avoiding distractions like cell phones, laptops or other projects, and by preparing questions, comments or ideas to thoughtfully respond.

Different styles of communication are appropriate in different situations. To make the best use of your communication skills, it’s important to consider your audience and the most effective format to communicate with them in.

For example, if you are communicating with a head of school, it’s better to speak formally. If you are talking to friends, you can use slang, etc.

Having empathy means that you can understand and share the emotions of others. This communication skill is important in both team and one-on-one settings.

In both cases, you will need to understand other people’s emotions and select an appropriate response. For example, if someone is expressing anger or frustration, empathy can help you acknowledge and diffuse their emotion.

At the same time, being able to understand when someone is feeling positive and enthusiastic can help you get support for your ideas and projects.