Listening is a skill most people, including me, assumed we had until we got humbled practically and proved wrong. I used to think that listening simply means keeping quiet while someone talks to me without me interrupting the person but keeping nodding and responding to whatever the person is saying. But then, as time passed by, I discovered that all along, I wasn't a good listener but only stayed calm waiting for my turn to respond.
If we must get it right, then permit me to say that a good listening skill entails that my full presence should be there while the person speaks without my mind wandering about, losing focus on the speaker; it also requires that I stay humble and be patient to listen attentively, share with the person's feelings, and proffer solutions in my capacity if possible.
From my real-life practical experience, I realized that not everyone can actually listen on a deep level; some just hear and forget—they don't listen. If you truly listen, you should have a valuable contribution to the speaker because you care and your mind is there. Permit me to say that I have been learning to be a better listener than a hearer through the influence of nice friends around me who have discovered the true value of listening before now.
I think I should just use my recent experience with 
It always sounded as if he were part of my business with the way he was concerned, and that's the attitude of a friend who shares in your feelings and strives to proffer solutions in his capacity. He doesn't forget because he isn't a hearer but more of a listener, and that's why after one month or a few weeks, he will return back to ask about the update so far. A hearer wouldn't even remember because he or she isn't connected or sharing your feelings or burdens; only listeners do, and that's valuable on a deep level.
Recently, I was sitting with a friend at a place here in Lagos, discussing something very sensitive that had been eating her up. She took a long time to pour out her heart with me, and I listened to her, not just heard her—there is a difference between the two—and when we were done, she said, "Thank you, Nkem, for staying to listen to all I have been saying. I feel lighter now."
Even as a mom, I try not to dismiss my kids through certain actions when they keep talking repeatedly but rather listen to them and understand them better and then spot their fears. This can only be gotten when you do more listening than hearing.
The thing is that it is rare to listen deeply because effort is needed to achieve that. Sometimes again, your ego needs to be laid aside, especially in relationships. It also needs that we slow down in our busy world to really listen rather than hear, but the good news is that embracing the art of listening has a way of revamping relationships; it could also help build trust and bring a better understanding among each other.
In conclusion, most people want to be heard, but only a few are good listeners. Since listening is an art, you must deliberately practice it to get it right.
Images were taken from canva