Empathetic listening is the ability to listen to someone with understanding and compassion. It involves not only hearing what the person is saying, but also trying to understand their feelings and perspective. Empathic listening is a powerful tool for building relationships and resolving conflict.
*Pay attention to the speaker’s body language and tone of voice. These can often reveal more about how someone is feeling than their words.
*Asking clarifying questions shows that you are interested in what the speaker is saying and that you want to understand their point of view.
*Don’t judge. It is important to be non-judgmental when listening to someone, even if you disagree with them. This will help them feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with you.
*Reflect back what the speaker is saying shows that you have been listening and that you understand what they are trying to say.
If the speaker is feeling upset or stressed, you can offer them your support. This could involve simply listening to them, offering advice, or helping them to find solutions to their problems.
Listening with empathy is a skill that takes practice. However, it is a valuable skill that can help you to build stronger relationships and improve your communication skills.