Say it back

One of the most useful things a listener can do is check what they heard: "So the hard part wasn't the work, it was not being asked?" It sounds simple. It is surprisingly rare.

Saying it back does two things. It shows the other person they were heard, and it catches misunderstandings before they grow. If you have it wrong, they will tell you — and now you both know.

Use your own words rather than repeating theirs exactly. Echoing word for word can sound mechanical; putting it your way shows you understood the meaning.