You say it's like a science, do you have any resources that have helped you in that direction, or do you mean in the sense that you experimented and saw what worked?
"Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday established a great baseline mindset to be in.
"Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when the Stakes are High" is the most applicable book. It explains in detail how other people interpret your actions, and how to approach a delicate conversation with care.
Some in person training helps; I quite enjoyed the sessions my company provided from Life Labs.
Mostly you'll learn being a good listener isn't only shutting up and letting them talk, it's also actively considering what they're saying and asking the right questions.
Quick tip: movies, dramas, and sitcoms are a terrible reference. So is r/relationship_advice unless you're looking for what not to do.