To effectively listen, what should one focus on besides the speaker's words?

Focusing on the speaker's tone is crucial for effective listening. The tone of voice can convey emotions and underlying meanings that the words alone may not express. Subtle nuances in tone can indicate urgency, seriousness, confidence, or hesitation, and understanding this aspect allows listeners to grasp the full context of the communication. By paying attention to tone, one can better interpret the speaker's intent and respond more appropriately.

While considering the audience reaction, the environment, and the time of day are also relevant in various contexts, they do not directly impact the interpretation of the message conveyed by the speaker as profoundly as tone does. Audience reactions can provide cues about engagement, while the environment can influence auditory clarity. The time of day may affect attention levels, but none of these factors provide the depth of understanding that observing the speaker's tone offers.