The responding step of listening

The responding step of listening can be either verbal or non-verbal, since a listener may reply in words or through gestures.

A nod, eye contact or a smile responds without speech, while a spoken comment responds with words.

Saying it is only non-verbal ignores the spoken feedback that listeners often give.

Tying it to memory names an earlier stage of the process, not the act of responding.

Insisting it is always verbal overlooks the silent signals that also convey a listener's response.

Responding is the final stage of the listening process and returns feedback to the speaker.