We previously described body language, tone of voice and words as ways to determine what a person says needs to be substantiated by how it is said and what their body language tells us.
Let’s look at ways we can hear how accurately what people say to us and what we say to them is communicated.
Paraphrasing: Putting what others say to us in our own words, or what we say to others has been what they heard.
Asking questions (Clarifications) to make sure what others are saying-their message, their intent- is what are what we are hearing. Questions also are a means to let the communicator know we are really trying to hear what they say.
Both these tools establish the readiness of our messages to be heard. Real listening paves the way to complete two-way communication.
This post, along with others, all relate to better understanding others and vice versa, in order to avoid misunderstanding which often leads to conflict, the kind which can destroy relationships. It is an important aspect of the 2nd Edition of Peace:The Other Side of Anger, in which adults receive tools on helping adolescents deal with anger and other feelings which often lead to their making negative responses.