[wwweston]

I'm adequate at this sometimes, but there are situations where I'm... pretty bad at it. They tend to be where:

(a) somebody is explaining something at either edge of my understanding -- either well-inside (and listening feels like a waste of time because I know this stuff) or well-outside (and listening feels like a waste of time because I don't know enough to get a solid purchase into the stream of communication).

(b) the primary purpose of the conversation is setting expectations or attempting to provide motivation, but it goes on for more than twice the minimum necessary communication

(c) I'm distracted by some unresolved issue I care about more.

(c) is clearly my issue. (a) & (b) are arguably failures of the other party as much as anything I'm doing, but I feel like I could probably get better at responses here.

If anybody has any hints, I might even try to listen. :)