I'm Deb Porter, owner of HOLD Hearing Out Life Drama.
I want to offer you this easy acronym to help you be a better listener. Here is the C.O.R.E. of listening.
Center yourself - if you aren't calm, you won't be able to hear the other person.
Outcome - know what the person you're listening to wants from the conversation.
Relate - really connect with what the other person is sharing and confirm their feelings
Empathize - this sounds like, "I'd feel that way, too, if that happened to me." Basically, help them know you get it.
Practice the C.O.R.E. of listening with everyone in your life.