Which listening style involves understanding the speaker's perspective and giving feedback that conveys that understanding?

Empathetic listening is a listening style focused on grasping the speaker's emotions and perspectives. This approach not only involves hearing the words being said but also paying attention to the feelings behind those words. It is characterized by providing feedback that demonstrates an understanding of the speaker's experience, validating their emotions, and often reflecting back what has been communicated.

This style is essential in fostering trust and rapport, as it shows the speaker that they are being heard and understood on a deeper level. By expressing empathy, the listener can create a safe space for the speaker to share their thoughts and feelings openly.

In contrast, other listening styles have different primary focuses. Active listening, while also attentive, often emphasizes engagement and response with questions and clarifications, rather than focusing primarily on empathy. Selective listening involves tuning into only certain parts of the conversation, which can lead to missing important emotional context. Critical listening centers around analyzing and evaluating the content for its merits or flaws, which may overlook the emotional subtleties a speaker conveys. Thus, empathetic listening is unique in its aim to connect with the speaker's perspective and emotions, making it the correct choice in this context.