A Practical Tip On Improving Soft Skills, Such As Active Listening or Empathy

Reflective listening is a useful technique for enhancing soft skills like empathy and active listening. In order to listen reflectively, one must comprehend the feelings and viewpoints of the other person in addition to simply hearing what they have to say. Here's how to accomplish it:

1. Pay close attention: Focus entirely on the speaker. While they are speaking, try not to interrupt or consider how you will respond.

2. Paraphrase: Once the speaker has concluded, summarize their remarks using your own words. This allows them to address any misunderstandings and demonstrates that you have comprehended what they are trying to say.

3. Validate feelings: Mirror back the speaker's feelings in order to validate them. Saying "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated because of..." is one example of what you could say. In doing so, the speaker feels more heard and understood.

4. Use open-ended questions: Encourage the speaker to go into further detail about their feelings and thoughts. For example, you could ask, "Can you tell me more about..." to elicit more information. This demonstrates your willingness to have a meaningful conversation with them and your curiosity in their point of view.

5. Exercise empathy: Imagine yourself in the speaker's position and make an effort to comprehend their viewpoint without passing judgment. Think about how you would feel in their shoes and react with compassion and understanding.

You can improve your active listening abilities and increase your empathy for other people by integrating reflective listening into your conversations.