Reflective listening is a communication technique where you actively listen to someone and then summarize or paraphrase back what you heard. This shows the speaker that you are paying attention and understanding their perspective.
Here's an example:
Speaker: I'm feeling really stressed about my upcoming presentation. I've been working on it for weeks, and I'm still not sure if it's good enough.
Listener: So you're feeling stressed because you're worried about your presentation and whether it's good enough, even though you've been working on it for a long time?
This example demonstrates reflective listening because the listener:
- Paraphrases the speaker's words: They use their own words to summarize the speaker's feelings and concerns.
- Focuses on the speaker's emotions: They acknowledge the speaker's stress and worry.
- Checks for understanding: The listener asks a question to ensure they have grasped the speaker's meaning.
Reflective listening can be a powerful tool for building rapport, resolving conflicts, and fostering understanding in any communication situation.
