Most people don’t forget what you said—they just never really heard it.

Not because they’re rude. Because we’re all mostly half-there.

Scrolling. Distracted. Waiting for our turn to talk.

We think we’re listening, but we’re just collecting noise.

Presence has become rare. And rare things become valuable.

According to Forbes, 92% of highly engaged employees say they feel heard at work. In companies that outperform others, 88% of employees feel heard—compared to just 62% in companies that don’t.

Turns out, listening isn’t just polite. It’s productive.

One study found that brain development was increased in children who had interactive conversations where they were being listened to by an adult.

Because being heard feels like being seen. And being seen changes people.

The opposite is also true.

Distraction doesn’t just break focus – it erodes connection.

So the question being asked in the head of someone who’s speaking to you isn’t, “Did they hear me?” The question is, “Do they care about me?”

Listening isn’t passive. It’s sacrificial. It costs you attention, energy, pride.

But it gives something more valuable in return: trust, clarity, belonging.

You don’t have to be brilliant to make someone feel loved.

You just have to be fully there.