Paraphrase for Understanding Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood *
Often we are either speaking or preparing to speak with the clear intent to reply, no?
Try listening with the intent to paraphrase what is being said by the other person.
To improve your understanding and to promote true consensus, paraphrase what was said by the speaker
- until the speaker agrees with your paraphrase !
Then, thoughtfully prepare and deliver your response.
This is often referred to as ‘empathic or reflective listening’.
* Covey, Stephen R., The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, (1989), Simon & Schuster, Habits 4 and 5.