On purposeful listening

You wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you need to have a purpose when you speak, would you?  Even if we don’t articulate it, we generally have the intent for our communication to inform, persuade, entertain, support, control, annoy, or whatever it may be.  But what about listening?  Do you need to have a purpose when you listen?  Listening can be seen as passive and reactive, but it doesn’t have to be.  Does having a purpose change your listening?  Does it affect what you hear?  I will conduct an experiment.  I will engage in a conversation with a listening purpose in mind.  Maybe, I will listen to the emotions that reveal themselves in words, intonation, and body language so that I can empathize with the speaker.  I will listen to notice the choice of words and think about its significance.  I will listen to detect fears and concerns.  I will listen to what’s not said.  I will listen to help.  I will listen to remember.  I bet, I will learn more when I listen purposefully.  What do you think?