Hilde Britt Mellbye

"Being a good listener is about creating a situation where people feel comfortable telling you things. A lot of that has to do with demeanor. The best listeners project openness, patience, and a sincere curiosity to hear the other person’s story. You need to ask the right questions, pick up on little Easter eggs hidden in the conversation, and also detect subtle, nonverbal cues about how the person is feeling or what they may be holding back. I go into detail about how to accomplish this in my book"

"But listening is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. Some may have more natural talent for it, like playing a sport or musical instrument, but we all can, and should, put serious effort into getting better at it. Your effectiveness and happiness depend on it. Good listeners are not only good doctors, they are good human beings."