Audio available in app
Practice active listening to show empathy from "summary" of Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone,Bruce Patton,Sheila Heen
To truly understand another person's perspective, it is crucial to engage in active listening. This means focusing not just on the words being spoken, but also on the emotions and intentions behind them. By demonstrating empathy through active listening, you show that you are truly present and engaged in the conversation, which can help build trust and rapport with the other person. Active listening involves more than just nodding along or giving occasional verbal cues. It requires you to pay attention to the speaker's body language, tone of voice, and overall demeanor. By tuning in to these nonverbal cues, you can gain a deeper understanding of the other person's feelings and experiences. One key aspect of active listening is reflecting back what the other person has said. This can involve paraphrasing their words, summarizing their main points, or asking clarifying questions to ensure you have understood them correctly. By mirroring their words back to them, you show that you are truly listening and trying to grasp their perspective. In addition to reflecting back what the other person has said, it is important to validate their feelings and experiences. This can involve acknowledging their emotions, expressing empathy, and showing that you understand where they are coming from. By validating their feelings, you create a safe space for them to open up and share more with you.- Practicing active listening is a powerful way to show empathy and build stronger connections with others. By truly listening to and understanding the perspectives of those around you, you can foster deeper relationships and navigate difficult conversations with greater ease.
