Attitude and the ability to listen without inturuprtion can be a deal breaker here.

Mirroring the ways people respond can help you connect with them on a supportive level. 

Staying focused during a conversation combined with being aware of the energy and shift of emotions is very important and the best way to actively listen. Recognizing what stage of listening you are at can help you regain focus. 

Listen to understand, not to respond. If you are already thinking of a response before the person you're communicating with is done speaking, you are not listening. 

Body language is super important, especially when face-to-face. This can make or break a conversation so it is important to prepare yourself with professional posture based on the meaning of the conversation and the setting. 

Different methods of communication call for different preperations due to the different obstacles each method may cause, be prepared based on how you will communicate and know the risk ahead of time to make the conversation more productive.