Active (Empathic) Listening

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Active (Empathic) Listening

• Centralia College Leadership Development Program

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The Essence of Empathic Listening

• Seek first to understand, then be
  understood.St Francis of Assisi

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk
2. We listen defensively (to counter-punch)

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk
2. We listen defensively (to counter-punch)
3. We try to immediately solve the problem

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk
2. We listen defensively (to counter-punch)
3. We try to immediately solve the problem
4. We listen autobiographically

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk
2. We listen defensively (to counter-punch)
3. We try to immediately solve the problem
4. We listen autobiographically
5. We probe, evaluate, and advise to get a quick
   result or to meet our own agenda

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How do we listen?

1. We prepare for our next opportunity to talk
2. We listen defensively (to counter-punch)
3. We try to immediately solve the problem
4. We listen autobiographically
5. We probe, evaluate, and advise to get a quick
   result or to meet our own agenda
6. We listen to issues but not for interests.

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Have you ever heard?

• When I was a kid, I got good grades, held a job
  and played sports.
• When I was a kid, I never.
• When I was your age, I never

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The Better Way Active (Empathic) Listening

• Listen Intently (Im here)
• Empathy with the Speaker (I understand)
• Summarize Frequently (feelings and content)

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The Better Way Active (Empathic) Listening

• Listen Intently (Im here)
• Empathy with the Speaker (I understand)
• Summarize Frequently (feelings and content)
• When people really open up, they often will
  solve their own problems.