Check for accuracy in listening
Our empathic listening has to be accurate. Listening and responding can be difficult because of differences in meaning we bring to the words we use in conversation. Words like "discipline," "failure," and "hate" can have different meanings for different people. If we have any uncertainty about what our friends are trying to convey we should check the accuracy of our interpretation by using such phrases as

            Seems to me....
            Sounds like you....
            You seem to be saying....
            I have the feeling . . . but maybe I'm wrong?

These comments allow Friends to clarify their responses. We do not try to pry into what Friends are only half-saying, implying, or stating implicitly.

32

Accuracy Check