What is an essential action an active listener must take while someone is speaking?

An essential action an active listener must take while someone is speaking is to maintain eye contact. This behavior demonstrates attentiveness and engagement in the conversation. When a listener maintains eye contact, it shows the speaker that they are focused and interested in what is being said, which can enhance mutual understanding and connection. Additionally, eye contact can encourage the speaker to express themselves more freely and can help the listener pick up on non-verbal cues, such as emotions or emphasis, that contribute to the overall message being conveyed.

Other actions like providing immediate feedback or using visual aids can be helpful in certain contexts, but they don't fully convey the listening engagement that maintaining eye contact does. Similarly, a neutral facial expression may not reflect active listening, as it could be perceived as disinterest or detachment from the speaker's message. Therefore, eye contact is a critical component of effective listening and communication.