Listening for Feelings:

Listening for Feelings: Empathetic listening is perhaps the most difficult of all listening
skills. Learn to listen and respond to others‟ feelings in what they are saying.
o Listen from the speaker’s point of view: Very often people have great difficulty
articulating what they feel deeply. Try to understand and „hear‟ those feelings.
o Watch the nonverbal communication: facial expressions, hand movements, and
body posture of the speaker. Pay attention at the paralanguage – the quality and
tone of speech and the delivery rate. The verbal communication may say one
thing, but the nonverbal communication may say another. Be sensitive to what the
speaker‟s nonverbal messages convey.
o Listen to what isn’t said: this is often the „real‟ message. For example, when a
person tells you that he worked overtime for three straight days to finish the job,
is he really saying, „compliment me‟? Respond to these obscure comments when
appropriate.
o Listen at the right time and place: some discussions may have to be delayed.
Graciously tell the speaker you are genuinely interested and make alternate
arrangements to continue the discussion.
o Listen objectively: recognize your own biases. Although it is difficult to change
your attitudes, try to put them aside during the conversation. Try to reevaluate
your ideas in the light of the new information.