Active Listening and Empathy Flashcards
7 cards from real Soft Skills - Communication practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Active Listening and Empathy flashcards as text
Which listening barrier occurs when a listener decides early in a conversation what the speaker means and stops truly paying attention?
Answer: Premature evaluation
Premature evaluation causes listeners to miss important information because they assume they already know the speaker's point.
Empathic listening differs from sympathetic listening primarily because empathic listening:
Answer: Seeks to understand the speaker's perspective without projecting your own feelings
Empathic listening centers on understanding the speaker's viewpoint, while sympathy involves projecting or sharing your own emotional response.
When is it most appropriate to ask clarifying questions during a conversation?
Answer: At natural pauses, after the speaker has completed a thought
Waiting for natural pauses respects the speaker's flow while still allowing you to seek understanding.
A manager notices an employee's body language is closed off during a one-on-one meeting. The empathetic response is to:
Answer: Point out that the employee looks uncomfortable and ask if everything is okay
Gently acknowledging observed nonverbal cues invites the employee to open up and signals that you are attentive to their whole experience.
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question that promotes active listening?
Answer: 'What was going through your mind when that happened?'
Open-ended questions invite expansive answers and encourage the speaker to share more detail and perspective.
In a high-stakes negotiation, active listening is valuable primarily because it:
Answer: Reveals the other party's underlying interests and priorities
Listening carefully during negotiations uncovers what the other party truly values, enabling more effective and mutually beneficial solutions.
Which statement about silence in active listening is accurate?
Answer: Brief, intentional silence gives the speaker space to elaborate or reflect
Strategic silence is a powerful listening tool that signals patience and allows speakers to deepen their thoughts without pressure.