In what ways can active listening skills be developed and honed to become a natural and effective communication tool in both personal and professional relationships?

Active listening skills can be developed and honed through practice, patience, and mindfulness. One way to improve active listening is to focus on the speaker without interrupting or formulating a response while they are talking. Additionally, asking clarifying questions and paraphrasing what the speaker has said can help demonstrate understanding and improve communication. Engaging in active listening regularly in both personal and professional settings can help make it a natural and effective communication tool over time.