Example of Empathic Listening:
Scenario: A friend, Sarah, comes to you visibly upset. You know she's been struggling with a difficult situation at work.
Non-Empathic Response:
* "You're overreacting. It's just a job. Just ignore it."
* "I told you this would happen. You should have listened to me."
Empathic Listening Response:
* "I can see you're really upset. What's going on?" (Acknowledging her emotions)
* "Tell me more about what happened at work." (Inviting her to share)
* "It sounds like you're feeling really frustrated and overwhelmed. I understand why you're upset." (Validating her feelings)
* "Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want to talk it through or just vent?" (Offering support)
This is empathic listening because it:
* Focuses on the speaker's experience: You are actively listening to understand Sarah's feelings and perspective.
* Reflects back emotions and understanding: You are acknowledging her emotions and showing her that you understand why she feels the way she does.
* Avoids judgment and advice: You are not trying to fix her problem or tell her what to do, but instead creating a safe space for her to share her feelings.
* Shows genuine interest and concern: Your body language and tone of voice communicate that you are truly listening and care about how she's feeling.
Empathic listening is not about agreeing with the speaker or having the same opinions. It's about understanding and validating their emotions and creating a safe and supportive space for them to be heard.