Paraphrasing
Restate their message in your own words to confirm understanding.
Explanation
Paraphrasing goes beyond just repeating what someone said—you translate their message into your own words to show you truly understood the meaning behind their words. This catches misunderstandings before they cause problems and makes people feel genuinely heard. It's different from parroting back their exact words.
Real-World Example
They say: 'The client meeting was a disaster. Nothing went according to plan and everyone seemed confused.' You paraphrase: 'So the meeting didn't meet your expectations—it sounds like there was poor preparation and the attendees weren't on the same page about the agenda?'
How to Apply
Start with phrases like 'What I'm hearing is...' or 'So if I understand correctly...' Capture both facts and emotions. Focus on the main theme, not every detail. Ask for confirmation: 'Is that right?' or 'Am I understanding this correctly?' If wrong, they'll correct you—that's still valuable information.