Everyone likes to believe what they have to say is important – when someone makes the effort to share their thoughts they want to believe that the person they are speaking to is listening. While we may believe we are good listeners, chances are we are too distracted to give our undivided attention. Even worse, many people pretend to listen, simply waiting for their chance to jump into the conversation.

Active listening is an important aspect of being a great leader both in business and in other areas of our lives. These individuals understand that other want to be heard and understood. But, becoming a great listener is not as hard as it may seem – by practicing these five important skills, it is possible to become a great listener and a great leader sooner than you would image.