Active Listening & Seeking Clarification

Dialogue9

Vocabulary8

• brushed off

  To be ignored or dismissed rudely, like when someone doesn't pay attention to your words. Useful in conversations about feeling unimportant.

• intention

  Your planned purpose or goal behind an action. Use it to explain what you meant to do, like 'That wasn't my intention.'

• jumped to conclusions

  To form an opinion too quickly without all the facts. Common in misunderstandings, e.g., 'Don't jump to conclusions.'

• feasibility

  Whether something is possible or practical to do. Often used in work or project talks, like discussing if an idea can work.

• dismissed

  To reject or ignore something without considering it seriously. Helpful for expressing when you feel your ideas are not valued.

• made up your mind

  To decide firmly about something. Use in conflicts to describe someone who won't listen to new information.

• come across

  To seem or appear in a certain way to others. Like 'It came across as rude,' meaning it seemed rude even if not intended.

• appreciate

  To be grateful for something. Polite way to thank someone, e.g., 'I appreciate your help,' in resolving talks.

Key Sentences8

1. 1

   Hey Michael, can we talk for a minute? I felt a bit brushed off earlier when I was trying to explain my idea for the project.

   This uses an 'I' statement ('I felt') to express feelings without blaming. Useful for starting a calm conversation about a misunderstanding; the question 'can we talk' shows politeness.

2. 2

   I'm sorry if it came across that way. That wasn't my intention at all.

   A gentle apology that acknowledges how actions seemed, not admitting full fault. 'Came across' explains appearance; great for diffusing tension without over-apologizing.

3. 3

   Can you tell me more about what happened?

   An open-ended question to encourage sharing and show active listening. Use it to seek clarification and build understanding in conflicts.

4. 4

   So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you felt I dismissed your thoughts too quickly and didn't give your idea a fair hearing? Is that right?

   Paraphrasing to confirm understanding, using 'if I'm understanding you correctly' for accuracy. This active listening technique prevents further misunderstandings; ends with a yes/no question for confirmation.

5. 5

   Exactly. It felt like you'd already made up your mind, and I just wanted to be heard fully before any judgments were made.

   Agrees and elaborates feelings with 'It felt like' for personal perspective. 'Be heard fully' emphasizes needing complete attention; useful in 'I' statements to clarify needs.

6. 6

   I see. I apologize, Sarah. I was probably trying to be efficient and didn't realize how that might have come across.

   Starts with 'I see' to show empathy, then apologizes and explains own side. 'Come across' discusses perception; helps in balancing apology with self-explanation.

7. 7

   I appreciate you explaining that. It helps to understand your perspective.

   Expresses thanks and acknowledges the other's view. 'Appreciate' is polite gratitude; use after hearing explanations to show mutual respect and end positively.

8. 8

   Absolutely, I can definitely work on that. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Sarah.

   Agrees strongly with 'Absolutely' and commits to change with 'I can work on that.' Shows willingness to improve; useful for closing resolutions on a positive note.