The Power of Empathic Listening
Empathic Listening can be a powerful tool to build trust and rapport with those in your care. By listening to individuals, you demonstrate your commitment to them and communicate the message that they are people of value and worth. Empathic Listening can also help you positively influence the behavioral choices of the individuals in your care.
The process of Empathic Listening is not automatic. Being a good listener is a skill that takes time and effort to develop.
The Benefits of Empathic Listening
Empathic Listening is an approach to listening that allows an individual to talk through a problem and feel understood. It has a number of benefits.
It takes the burden off of you. You don’t need to have answers or provide advice, which can sometimes be interpreted as a lecture. Also, when you listen empathically, you aren’t telling the person what to do.
You can uncover the real issues. The person you are talking with is the one who leads the conversation, not you. You will gain insight into his issues without the need for prying questions.
It allows the other person to vent. The other individual can release his feelings without having to hear advice or be judged by his behavior.
It’s an excellent tool to let someone know you understand his concern. The need to feel understood is important to us all.
Five Steps to Empathic Listening
There are five key points to listening emphatically.
- Give the person your undivided attention. Move away from distractions and focus your attention on the other person. Don’t try and do two things at once. Make sure your nonverbal communication sends the message that you are ready to listen. Make eye contact, lean slightly forward, and nod your head periodically to let the person know you understand what he is saying.
- Be nonjudgmental. If you lecture or make statements that trivialize someone’s problems, it can drive him away.
- Focus on feelings, not just facts. Listen carefully to understand the person’s message. Some individuals are able to describe their problems but have a hard time identifying their feelings.
- Allow silence for reflection. Before you speak, allow the other person time to reflect on what he said. Often, he will be the first one to break the silence with further information.
- Use restatement to clarify messages. Put the words the person has said into your own and restate them back to him. Allow the individual to clarify your interpretation. By offering your interpretation, you give the person the opportunity to clarify and possibly expand his message.
