When you have listened to someone, they should be able to say one of the following:
I really enjoyed our chat.
You gave me your undivided attention.
You asked good questions. You didn’t make me feel self-conscious or embarrassed.
You made me think. You got me thinking.
You didn’t judge. You didn’t make me feel bad.
You understood what I was saying.
You allowed me to talk through my different ideas and choices.
Your feedback was very helpful.
You heard my concerns.
I really appreciate your support and encouragement.
I call these kinds of positive comments “The Rewards of Listening”. When people are able to speak to you about a variety of things, it builds trust and goodwill. And from a listener’s perspective, that means you’ve gained influence!