Listening is an important skill that is often neglected without proper training. There are several faults with poor listening, including only retaining 25-30% of information, distractions, and premature judgments. Effective listening requires focusing on key ideas, being engaged, and avoiding assumptions. There are three types of listening: listening for content, critical listening, and empathetic listening. Receptiveness can be improved by finding common ground and sharing meaningful, understandable messages.