@cloudcore  This is all so useful! Something to read over and over again. 

Which of these skills have you found most helpful/useful in your conversations?

The withholding judgement and unwanted advice (in most topics). 

Which skills would you like to work more on? Pick two and I’d love to hear how you go implementing them in a conversation or throughout this next week!

I'd like to work on the withholding unwanted advice in my two areas of expertise, which is where I want to jump in with what I know. 

Also, assertive requests - using 'I' statements when I feel uncomfortable in the conversation (see below*). 

What are some other active listening and assertive communication skills that you know and practice?

I've had a think, but I don't know.

*One thing I have had trouble with in the past is in conversation with a friend (or anyone) when you seriously disagree with what they're saying. For instance, I have two friends who listen to conspiracy theories about Covid, and I try to listen, but if you nod and give the 'I'm listening" signals, they think you're agreeing with them. I definitely value them as friends so I want to be supportive, but when they say extreme or hateful things, I can't. I generally say something like, "Oh no, I don't think that's the case" and try to turn the conversation, but I see now that what I'm doing is continuing the argument for that person. I can see from your post that it would be better to say something like, "I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about X, can we talk about something else?"