__________ is essential to the art of connectionOptionsListening and SympathyListening and EmpathyHearing and EmpathyHearing and Sympathy

The answer is "Listening and Empathy".

Here's why:

1. Listening: This is an active process where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words another person is saying but, more importantly, understand the complete message being sent. In the context of connection, it's important because it shows the other person that you value their words and are engaged in the conversation.

2. Empathy: This is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's essential to connection because it allows you to understand what others are going through and respond appropriately. It's about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective.

While sympathy and hearing are also important in communication, they don't foster connection in the same way. Sympathy often implies feeling pity for someone else's misfortune, rather than understanding their feelings. Hearing is a passive act, it doesn't require the understanding and engagement that listening does.