Restating what you heard someone say in your own words is a good idea for several reasons:
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Demonstrates Active Listening: By restating their message, you show the speaker that you are engaged and actively listening to what they are saying. This can help build rapport and trust in the conversation.
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Clarifies Understanding: Restating encourages clarification. If you’ve misunderstood something, your paraphrase gives the speaker a chance to correct any misinterpretations right away.
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Reduces Miscommunication: Rephrasing their points can help to ensure both parties share the same understanding, reducing the chances of miscommunication or confusion.
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Encourages Deeper Conversation: By reflecting back what you've heard, you may foster a deeper dialogue, prompting the speaker to elaborate further or explore their thoughts more fully.
Overall, restating what someone has said not only shows that you care about their message but also enhances the clarity and effectiveness of communication.