3 Hear them out

Be a good listener and balance the conversation. Hearing them out is the most important thing you can do. Be curious and keep your questions open-ended. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions based on what they say. Don’t try to fill “awkward silences” or fix problems by offering advice. It’s rarely necessary (or helpful) to share your own experience or give advice. Remember, this conversation is about them, not you.

Ways to hear them out:

“I’m sorry, that seems like a difficult situation to be in. What is that like for you?”

“Wow, I’d like to hear more about that.”

“That sounds really difficult. How is it affecting your life?”