THE HEART OF LISTENING

It takes work and self-control. We can lost interest.
Suppressing our urge to talk can be hard. We need to be silent.
Set aside our own needs.

The Do's and Taboos of Listening

• Do stay focused
• Do be mostly silent
• Do follow
• Do be receptive
• Do ask open-ended questions
• How does that make you feel?
• What is that like for you?
• Can you tell me more about that?
• What do you think that means?
• How are you handling that?
• Can you explain that to me?
• How were things different before?
• Don't lead
• Don't judge
• Don't interrupt
• Don't advise
• Don't say "I know how you feel." "Don't feel that way."

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© 2000 St. Thomas Hospice
Published here with permission.