5 Tips for Empathetic Listening
August 9 by Reginald Adkins 27 Shares | Communication, Uncategorized
Empathetic Listening is a technique which can help you manage and avoid disruptive and assaultive behaviors. The foundation of the technique can be summarized in 5 simple steps.
- Provide the speaker with your undivided attention.This is one time “multi-tasking” or “rapid refocus” will get you in trouble.
- Be non-judgemental. Don’t minimize or trivialize the speakers issue.
- Read the speaker. Observe the emotions behind the words. Is the speaker angry, afraid, frustrated or resentful. Respond to the emotion as well as the words.
- Be Quiet. Don’t feel you must have an immediate reply. Often if you allow for some quiet after the speaker has vented, they themselves will break the silence and offer a solution.
- Assure your understanding. Ask clarifying questions and restate what you perceive the speaker to be saying.
Following these procedural steps will place you in a better situation for addressing the key issue.
Excellent tips!
I would add that the listener’s own body language should be relaxed yet attentive. e.g. If it is a controversial subject do not fold your arms as this can be perceived as defensive.
Allen, You have a good point. Another issue I should have noted is that this observation are pretty specific to western culture. Body language varies the world over.
Hi Reg
Thats a really interesting point. Japanese culture for example is a whole different ball game to Western culture.
Still, a good article though! :)
Allen
There have also been a couple of posts related to this topic over at ITToolbox:
An item on ‘Responsive Listening’ which is also important:
http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/eai/implementation/archives/what-the-heck-is-responsive-listening-10645
And an item on ‘Constructive Criticism’:
http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/eai/implementation/archives/using-constructive-criticism-10957
Enjoy,
Craig.
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thanks!!!:) i needed to use this for a project
IT WORKS
Hey bb,
Great! I’m glad it worked for you.
Peace!
would love too have a copy of your work. I think this could save my marriage.
[...] when anyone is talking to you. Look into her eyes. Look at his hands. Look at his shoes. Practice empathetic listening. Then ask yourself, why is s/he telling me this? Does s/he just need an ear? Does s/he think I am a [...]
[...] 5 Tips for Empathetic Listening – LifeHacks.org [...]
[...] 5 Tips for Empathetic Listening — Really a quick read from Stepcase Lifehack on the five simple steps one can use to be more empathetic. [...]
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What a stupid article, a waste of internet bits. off to the digital trash can, along with your affiliate marketing tricks
Thanks for sharing your views,you might find this resource a very interesting.
http://www.commlabindia.com/developing-empathetic-listening-skills-presentation/
Good arcticle over all. Spell and grammar checking would add to your credibility!
I’d like to thank you! :) your information help me to write a wonderful paper!
What year is this post? I want to give credit in a college paper. Thanks. You can e-mail me if you choose vivi60@cox.net.
Were you able to get the year?
If you're asking when I wrote the article this summary is based on "I'm Listening: Effective Communication in the Workplace", it was January 14, 2005. If you are talking about this encapsulation, it went live on August 9, 2006. If you are looking for a complete source for citation check my blog elementaltruths.blogspot.com
What year is this post? I would like to give credit for it in a college paper. Thanks.