How to be a great listener | Maegan Stephens, Nicole Lowenbraun

Adaptive listening replaces the rigid, therapeutic model of active listening with a flexible framework tailored to the specific goals of professional interactions. Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun identify four distinct listening modes—discern, immerse, advance, and support—that allow individuals to respond effectively to the needs of colleagues and clients. Discern listening focuses on evaluation and risk identification, immerse listening prioritizes deep understanding of details, advance listening drives projects toward completion, and support listening validates the emotional state of the speaker. While each mode serves a unique purpose, support listening remains a universal requirement in every interaction. By consciously identifying whether a conversation partner needs critical feedback, information retention, forward momentum, or emotional validation, professionals can build trust and accelerate results, moving beyond guesswork to intentional, high-impact communication.