Empathetic Listening

Empathetic listening involves active listening and responding to another person when having a conversation. Developing empathetic listening is an essential skill that can prevent interpersonal arguments. The skill enables the listener to listen keenly, receive the message, and accurately interpret it to provide an appropriate response, which forms a critical part in an argument. Empathetic listening enhances trust and creates mutual understanding between parties and helps avert a conflict. Reflecting on a personal experience, when my nephews and nieces came over to our house visiting, we always ended up arguing and fighting. One day, I overheard one of them complaining that I never listen to their demands, which surprised me because it was true I never listened. So, I invited them over to join me, I asked them what they wanted, and I listened actively and responded where needed. From that day, we have always been best friends and no longer argue like before.