One great way to define empathic listening is to consider the role of an interpreter. If you have ever communicated through an interpreter or translator you know the importance of capturing the essence of what is being said and understood. Interpreters work very hard at accurately reflecting what others are communicating despite language barriers.

One of the biggest goals in empathic listening is to understand the exact meaning​ of what is being communicated. Sometimes wrong words are used or implications made that may not be accurate. You need to be discerning, not always taking the literal meaning of words but rather grasping the essence of what the communicator is attempting to get across to you. As an empathic listener, you attempt to comprehend the full and accurate meaning of what the speaker is trying to express.​

Here is a link for a humorous video ("Language in Context") that depicts what happens when an interpreter gives literal meaning to the communicator’s message.​ My friend Jon and I first did this humorous skit at a staff event in Thailand many years ago. As demonstrated, the interpreter gets almost everything wrong. (Let's all hope that somebody eventually had the chance to straighten out this preacher's terrible theology!) ​

Again, as an empathic listener you should never nail a person down for what they are literally saying. Rather, capture what’s also behind their words. Play the role of an interpreter.​

[Next week we'll discuss the importance of compassion in empathic listening while not necessarily agreeing with what is being communicated.]