Active Listening & Self Disclosure

"All right, now let's talk about some guidelines for being on the other end. If someone is disclosing information to you. Now see, self disclosure is really it's a sign of trust, it's a sign of affection, and perhaps someone is going to disclose some information to you. Well, the most important thing for you to remember is to be an active listener. And an active listener means that I'm really paying attention, I'm really concentrating on what you're telling me. I'm not thinking about something else. As you're listening, no matter what the person is telling you, it is important that you listen with an open mind, and not judge them. Maybe they're going to confess a crime, maybe they're going to say they lied on their resume. Whatever it is, you need to have an open mind as this person discloses information to you. You also probably want to paraphrase and restate what the person said back, to let them know that you were listening, and make sure that you understood, and comprehended what they were talking about. Okay, what I heard you say was x, y, z. So, being a good listener is one of the most important parts in the whole process of self-disclosure."