Reflecting involves repeating what the other person said. It lets you show that you grasped what was said. You can reflect by repeating the basic ideas and emphasizing the facts. Examples of reflecting phrases include:
Validating involves indicating through your words that you respect and value what the other person has said. This allows you to show respect for the other person and openness for further communication. You validate what the other person says by acknowledging the statement and noting that you value what was said. Examples of validating phrases include:
Reframing allows you to acknowledge what was said while changing its tone or focus. Ways to reframe a statement include using neutral language and changing the focus from positions to issues, without agreeing or disagreeing with the person or position. Examples of reframing phrases include:
Showing empathy consists of demonstrating that you are aware of and appreciate another person’s emotions, thoughts, and feelings. One way to show empathy is by matching the meaning of what the other person and stating your concern about it. Examples of phrases that show empathy include:
Summarizing provides an overview of what the other person has said. It gives the other person a chance to correct any errors or misconceptions that you may have. Summarize by using neutral language, giving the highlights, and conveying the feeling of what was said. Examples of summarizing phrases include:
Non-verbal listening skills include: