is an essential skill in our interpersonal relationships. The vast majority of people occupy approximately 70% of their time in communicating with other people, 45% of that time in listening. We want to be heard and understood. However, spouses, for example, talk to each other for 10 to 12 minutes a day. It is insulting to be ignored. We know what it means to be really listened to. It is more than hearing the words, it is really understanding and accepting the other in the total understanding of their reality. Empathy means understanding the other person identifying their emotions and feeling as if we were the other person, taking into account the "as if". It is walking a kilometer in your shoes. Listen carefully that we can experience the emotions and thoughts of the other person.
It is not easy to listen attentively all the time. Our concentration lasts only 15 to 20 minutes. We distract ourselves in time, however a good listener corroborates through clarification questions when things are not clear. It is important to inquire about what we hear.
A good listener looks at the speaker, affirms and moves towards the speaker, reinforcing it to continue presenting his problem, and avoiding presenting judgments based on his personal experience, unless some references are required by the speaker, Only then will you share opinions, experiences or suggestions.
Remember that the success of the empathic response depends on the response of the other. The response of the other reflects that there was understanding when he says, for example: "Yes ... you are right ... it makes sense".