Reflective feedback is a communication technique that involves actively listening to a speaker and then responding by paraphrasing, summarizing, or mirroring their statements to demonstrate understanding, empathy, and engagement. This approach encourages the speaker to reflect on their thoughts and feelings, promotes deeper exploration of the topic, and fosters effective communication.

Here are the steps to practice reflective feedback:

1. Actively listen to the speaker – Pay close attention to the speaker’s words, tone, and body language. Focus on understanding their message and emotional state. Practice active listening techniques, such as maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using verbal affirmations like “uh-huh” or “I see.”
2. Pause before responding – After the speaker finishes their statement, take a brief moment to process their message and gather your thoughts. Pausing demonstrates respect and allows you to formulate an appropriate and thoughtful response.
3. Paraphrase the speaker’s message – Reflect the speaker’s message back to them by paraphrasing their main points. Use phrases like “It sounds like…” or “What I hear you saying is…” to rephrase their statements in your own words. Paraphrasing shows that you have been listening attentively and helps to confirm your understanding of their message.
4. Reflect emotions and feelings – In addition to paraphrasing the content of the speaker’s message, also acknowledge and reflect the emotions and feelings they expressed. Use phrases like “It seems like you’re feeling frustrated” or “I can tell this is really important to you” to demonstrate empathy and emotional understanding.
5. Ask open-ended and clarifying questions – After providing reflective feedback, you may ask open-ended or clarifying questions to encourage the speaker to elaborate or clarify their thoughts. This can help deepen the conversation and ensure that you fully understand their perspective.
6. Be non-judgmental and supportive – When providing reflective feedback, it is essential to maintain a non-judgmental and supportive attitude. Avoid offering unsolicited advice, opinions, or criticism. The goal is to create a safe and open environment that encourages the speaker to share their thoughts and feelings openly.
7. Practice active listening throughout the conversation – As the conversation continues, keep practicing active listening and providing reflective feedback. This ongoing process will help maintain a strong connection with the speaker and promote open, honest communication.