Empathic Listening & Presence Flashcards

A participant asks, "Should I guess correctly every time for empathy to work?" What is the best NVC response?

Answer: An incorrect guess still shows care and invites the speaker to clarify

Empathic guesses are offered tentatively, and even inaccurate guesses support connection and clarity.

Someone says "no" to your request. How does NVC suggest you listen to that "no"?

Answer: As a "yes" to some other need you can try to hear

Hearing the need behind a "no" keeps connection open instead of taking it as rejection.

A listener asks, "How long have you felt this way? Why didn't you tell anyone?" Which empathy block is this?

Answer: Interrogating

Rapid questions about facts can turn listening into an investigation instead of connection.

Why might an NVC trainer encourage a learner to ask, "Would you like empathy or suggestions right now?"

Answer: It respects the speaker's wishes about what kind of support they want

Checking what the speaker wants honors their autonomy and avoids unwanted advice.

In the jackal and giraffe ears model, what are "giraffe ears out"?

Answer: Listening for the other person's feelings and needs

Giraffe ears pointed outward hear the other person's feelings and needs instead of blame.

What does NVC suggest about empathizing with someone you see as an "enemy"?

Answer: Hearing their needs can soften enemy images and open dialogue

Rosenberg taught that connecting to an opponent's needs dissolves enemy images and supports resolution.

While a person speaks, the listener plans their reply. What effect does this usually have?

Answer: It reduces presence because attention shifts away from the speaker

Planning a response pulls attention into your own head and away from the speaker's experience.