Empathic listening
Empathic listening is the practice of fully focusing on, understanding, and validating the thoughts and emotions of another person. It involves more than just hearing words; it requires the listener to actively engage with the speaker’s emotional and verbal cues, demonstrating genuine interest and care. The purpose of empathic listening is to foster trust, create emotional safety, and strengthen interpersonal connections. It is particularly valuable in situations that involve conflict resolution, emotional support, or building deep relationships.
Features:
a) Empathic listening demands full concentration, where the listener focuses on both verbal communication and nonverbal signals such as tone of voice and body language.
b) The listener acknowledges and reflects the speaker's emotions, showing understanding and support without judgment.
c) Open-ended and thoughtful questions are used to encourage deeper discussion and ensure the speaker feels fully understood.
d) The listener uses gestures like nodding, maintaining eye contact, and adopting a calm posture to demonstrate attentiveness and empathy.
e) Through empathic listening, the speaker feels valued and safe, fostering stronger emotional connections and mutual respect.
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