Active listening means giving attention to the speaker’s meaning instead of preparing your reply throughout the conversation. It involves checking understanding without assuming that your first interpretation is correct. Let the person finish a thought, then summarise it in your own words. Ask a specific clarifying question and allow correction. Notice whether the conversation calls for information, a decision, or simply being heard. You can understand a perspective without agreeing with every conclusion. If someone says a group task feels unfair, ask which responsibilities or deadlines are causing difficulty. Avoid immediately offering a solution to a problem they have not described. Tone and body language can provide context, but they are not reliable proof of another person’s thoughts. Practice: In a low-stakes conversation, summarise the other person’s point before replying. Ask whether your summary captured what they meant.