Ways that Really Listening Will Help your Relationships

It seems simple, but truly listening builds effective communication and leads to closer relationships. How? For example:

Listening calms us and opens up the way to hear and accept the needs and feelings of the other person in a non-defensive manner.
Non-judgmentally listening allows us to comprehend not only what exactly is said, but also realize where the other person is coming from.
Really listening will facilitate constructive conversations that helps all parties to collaborate to reach a mutually-agreeable outcome.
When we feel heard or listened to, it makes us feel good, and encourages us to approach any future interaction we might have worried about more freely.