When we think about communication, we usually think about talking. We focus on what to say, how to say it, and how to make sure the other person understands. But good communication depends just as much on how we receive information.

Being on the receiving side of communication means listening, observing, and interpreting what another person is sharing. It involves not only the words they say but also their tone, facial expressions, and body language. It means being able to take in what’s happening without getting lost in distractions, assumptions, or emotional reactions.

For many adults with executive functioning challenges, this part of communication is harder than people realize. You might hear someone speak but lose the thread halfway through. You might notice someone’s expression and suddenly start worrying about what it means. You might misread a tone of voice or feel flooded by too many signals at once.

The receptive side of communication is a skill set that can be learned and strengthened. Understanding how it works and how your brain and nervous system affect it can help you feel more confident, connected, and calm in both personal and professional settings.

Listening seems simple, but your brain is doing far more than you might realize. When someone speaks, your mind decodes their words, filters their tone, compares what you’re hearing to past experiences, and predicts what might come next. You also monitor your own reactions and decide how to respond, all within seconds.

That’s a lot of mental work, especially if you already struggle with focus, working memory, or sensory overload.

In moments like these, it’s easy to take things personally. The challenge is not that you’re bad at listening. It’s that your brain is processing multiple layers of input at once, verbal, emotional, visual, and it can mix signals or jump to conclusions when energy or attention runs low.

Most of what we communicate is nonverbal. Studies suggest that body language, facial expressions, and tone carry more weight than the words themselves.

For people who process information quickly or deeply, these cues can feel like too much input at once. You might notice every small change in someone’s face or posture and try to make sense of it. Or you might focus so hard on their words that you miss the rest of the message.

Facial expressions send emotional signals long before words do. A smile can show warmth or politeness. A furrowed brow can mean concern or concentration. Without context, your brain may fill in meaning that isn’t really there.

Body language adds another layer. A person leaning forward might seem interested, or they might be trying to hear better. Someone crossing their arms could be defensive, cold, or simply comfortable that way.

The key is to recognize that nonverbal cues are not fixed rules. They are pieces of information to consider alongside words and context. You don’t need to decode everything perfectly. You only need to stay open and curious about what might be happening.

When your body feels calm and safe, you can listen with clarity. You can focus on what the other person means rather than how it makes you feel.

When your body feels calm and safe, you can listen with clarity. You can focus on what the other person means rather than how it makes you feel.

When your nervous system is activated because of stress, tiredness, or a feeling of being judged, your interpretation shifts. A neutral comment might sound critical. A pause might feel like rejection. Even a kind face can be hard to read if you are anxious or overstimulated.

In those moments, your brain is trying to protect you. It scans for danger, even in everyday conversations. This is especially common for people with ADHD, anxiety, or rejection sensitivity.

The challenge is that once your system enters a defensive state, it becomes harder to receive information accurately. You might speak more quickly, withdraw from the conversation, or misread the other person’s cues. They, in turn, may sense your tension and change their tone, creating a loop of misunderstanding.

A helpful shift is to notice your internal state before reacting. If you catch yourself feeling tense, pause for a slow breath or adjust your posture. Even a brief reset can help your brain move from “protect” mode to “connect” mode.

Listening well supports speaking well, and the reverse is also true. Both draw on the same executive functioning network in your brain.

When you’re the one talking, your receptive skills are still active. You watch how the listener responds, notice their facial expressions, and adjust your words based on the feedback you see. If your receptive awareness is off, say, you misinterpret someone’s expression, you might start talking too much, shut down too soon, or second-guess your message.

That can lead to frustration or miscommunication in both directions. At work, this might look like avoiding meetings because they feel draining. In relationships, it can mean replaying conversations afterward, wondering if you said the wrong thing.

The more you understand how your brain processes social information, the easier it becomes to recognize that these moments are not personal failings. They are natural outcomes of how your attention, working memory, and emotional regulation interact.

The goal is not to listen perfectly. It’s to create the right conditions for your brain to stay engaged, calm, and flexible.

If you can, pause what you’re doing before listening to someone. Turn away from screens, take a slow breath, or move your body briefly. These small actions tell your brain that it’s safe to focus.

Taking short notes or repeating key phrases out loud can help your working memory. In professional settings, you might ask for written summaries. At home, a shared note or message can help everyone stay on the same page.

Your posture, eye contact, and tone influence how others receive you. Try softening your face, leaning slightly forward, or nodding as someone speaks. These simple cues show attention and care.

If listening and reading cues drain your mental energy, schedule downtime afterward. A quiet walk, a short stretch, or silence can help your nervous system reset before the next interaction.

These habits don’t have to be applied perfectly or all at once. Even small adjustments can make conversations feel less tiring and more genuine.

You do not have to communicate like everyone else to communicate well. You only need to know how your brain and body receive information best.

If you are more visual, ask for written instructions or summaries. If you process slowly, let others know you might follow up later once you’ve had time to think. If you are sensitive to tone or facial expressions, practice noticing your own physical state before interpreting others.

Receptive communication is not about decoding every nuance correctly. It’s about staying open, self-aware, and compassionate. When you understand that your brain might need extra time, fewer distractions, or more context, you stop labeling yourself as bad at listening and start supporting your natural communication rhythm.

This mindset also builds empathy for others. Everyone’s nervous system interprets the world differently. When you practice curiosity about how you and others send and receive messages, communication becomes less about performance and more about connection.

• Receptive communication is how you take in and interpret words, tone, facial expressions, and body language.
• Executive functioning skills like attention, working memory, and flexibility are deeply involved in this process.
• Emotional regulation affects how accurately you hear and understand others.
• Miscommunication often happens when your brain is overloaded, not because you are inattentive or uncaring.
• Grounding yourself, asking clarifying questions, and reducing distractions help you receive information clearly.
• You can strengthen communication by working with your brain’s natural style and pacing.