Listening is more than just hearing - it requires mentally engaging with the speaker's perspective. While all listeners may hear the same words, they interpret and understand messages differently based on their own experiences and perspectives. Effective listening requires focusing on the speaker, acknowledging their point of view, researching any unfamiliar terms or references, exercising empathy, sensing non-verbal cues, and structuring responses. Mastering listening skills leads to improved work environments, reduced tensions, time savings, better management-employee relations, early problem solving, and increased profits.