【正文】
nk we are being good listeners. For instance, we may attempt to share our own story of loss, disappointment, or of success, before the individual has had the opportunity to be heard in his story. We may feel that sharing our own story is proof that we are listening, but instead, the other person feels we have stolen the show. Once again, this is not to say that there is no room to share our story with others, but rather, we should hear them out first. ? Some persons confuse empathic listening with being silent. First attempts to listen empathically are often betrayed by facial and body language that say we are quiet so I can give you advice. Have you ever tried to speak to someone who is silent and gives no indication of what he is thinking? We do not know if the person has lost interest or is judging us. ? When people have deep sentiments to share, rarely do they expose their vulnerability by getting to the point right away. Ordinarily, the topic is examined through increasingly constricting circles. We may also pare it to an iceberg. Only an eighth protrudes to the surface while the rest remains submerged,buried under the surface of the ocean. When someone says, I am worried because。 and another responds, don’t worry so much,?the worried person does not cease to be concerned. Rather, it bees clear that the apprehension cannot be safely shared with this individual. Likewise, when a person proceeds to give a suggestion before understanding the situation, individuals will frequently pretend to go along with the proposal simply to get rid of the problem solver. Diagnostic Phase ? in the process of empathic listening, the diagnosis needs to be carried out by each party, rather than the mediator. An emphasis on diagnostics betrays a perspective in which the listener is to provide wisdom, understanding, and solutions. ? Often, individuals listen and ask questions with the idea of confirming their own observations. A much more effective method is to be moved by a spirit of curiosity. Such an approach has been called a stance of deliberate ignorance. Instead of assuming that a certain experience is the same as another we have lived or heard of in the past, we listen with interest and curiosity. Inquisitive listeners never assume that they understand the meaning of an action, and event, or a word.