1 article
-
Use their words, not yours
If you repeat someone's words in your own words, the connection breaks for a moment. Why I reflect things literally, even in an age of chatbots.
This week I gave a workshop on emotional intelligence. In it, I did a short demonstration with a participant. Afterwards, we discussed with the group what had happened. Most had seen that I adjusted my posture. What stood out less was actually the most important thing. I had used her words, literally.
At the bottom of this article you will find a prompt to check which words you adopted after a conversation.
Paraphrasing feels like listening
We all learn that listening well means summarising what the other person says. And you do that in your own words. That is called paraphrasing, and it seems respectful. You show that you have understood it, and that you have even processed it.
Read