What Is Empathetic Listening?

Active empathic listening is the process of engaging in a dialogue with another individual to gain an insight into their thoughts and feelings, as well as to help them understand what you are saying. Empathy refers to the ability to put yourself into another person's shoes and listen to what they have to say. An example of empathy can be illustrated by a doctor asking a patient, "What's your problem?"

The patient will answer, "I am tired of being sick"I am angry that I have to go through this."

What Is Empathetic Listening?×

Empathic listening is a learnable skill and method of listening which helps improve mutual understanding, positive emotions, and respect. It is an important skill for disputants and third party negotiators alike, because it allows the listener to receive, interpret tone of voice and give an appropriate response without having to give a direct response.

Is Empathic Listening A Skill?

As an example, if someone is arguing with you about a current position that they feel strongly about, you can ask them to elaborate on their thoughts and emotions so you can understand what they are really saying, as well as the implications behind those words.

Mindful listening skills will improve when you learn how to become aware of the listening process and what your body is telling you. You may use body language such as your hands, gestures, facial expressions and posture, to express your own thoughts and emotions to the other person, while listening to them talk. This powerful tool will build interpersonal affection, rapport and help build understanding.

When you are listening to someone else's conversation, pay attention to how they move their head and mouth, as this is a way for you to read their thoughts and feelings. In this way, you will be able to understand what they are saying and how they are saying it, which is the basis for empathy.

What Are the Elements of Active Listening?

Active listening is perhaps the simplest and most important element of social communication skills. Active listening takes the listener's attention away from the other people being discussed, thus allowing the receiver to listen to themselves. You attempt to listen intently, know, recall and then respond to the full message being presented.

This creates an atmosphere of trust in which the receiver can respond with their own thoughts and feelings about what is going on in the conversation. Listening becomes an art. Your goal is not to listen but instead to know.

Learn more:

https://empathicmastery.com/

https://www.intrinsicmotivation.life/

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intrinsic-motivation/support