Listening is shown through follow-up, not initial cues

The common advice to show you're listening by making eye contact or nodding while someone speaks might not be effective, as people can't pay attention to these cues in the moment. Rather, what truly matters is how people follow up after someone speaks. It is observed that what people say after hearing a story is what really sticks with the speaker. While nodding and eye contact can be encouraging, the real impact lies in the follow-up comments that show active listening and understanding of the speaker's values and beliefs. In establishing effective communication, the focus should be on genuinely learning about the other person, particularly their values and beliefs, rather than just facts.