- This is how FBI agents make informants feel deeply understood without actually offering any new advice.
HOW TO DO IT :
- 1- Let them talk about their stressful day or a problem.
- 2- Listen for the last 3 to 4 words of their sentence.
- 3- Repeat those exact 3 words back to them with an upward, questioning inflection.
- Them: '...and my boss is just so ungrateful for my hard work.'
- You: '...ungrateful for your hard work?'
WHY IT WORKS :
- It proves you are actively listening, but more importantly, it forces them to elaborate. They will feel like you are a brilliant conversationalist who 'gets them,' even if you barely spoke.
