- “Listening “is the most powerful force we know for altering the basic personality structure of an individual and improving his relationships and communication with others. If I can listen to what he can tell me, if I can understand how it seems to him, if I can see its personal meaning for him, if I can sense the emotional flavor it has for him, then I will be releasing a potent force in him.”—Rogers, On Becoming a Person
- “Further challenges include being realistic in your expectations of children, helping them to develop their own competencies and thus avoiding unhealthy dependence on the powerful adults surrounding them. You should learn to be an excellent listener, communicating in a manner that demonstrates respect for each child.” Wealth in Families Third Edition (Charles W. Collier) Page 42
- “Whenever we walk out of a room together at a banquet or meeting,” I said, “I want you to be able to tell me who everyone in the room was. I want you to shake their hands and ask for their cards, and when you get back to your room, I want you to write on the back of that card some way to remember that individual. Because, after a while, you will forget, and this way we will start to build your Rolodex. You are your own best salesman, but you need to focus on who the other person is, ask questions, and be a good listener.” The Agent: My 40-Year Career Making Deals and Changing the Game (Steinberg, Leigh;Arkush, Michael)–page 88
- “[Empathy] is defined as ‘the action of understanding…and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another. With so much pain and despondency, so much hopelessness, one thing we certainly ought to try to give [each person we serve] is the reassurance he is not alone. We should be adamant in stressing that God is with him, angels are with him, and we are with him. Empathy. Sounds pretty inadequate, but it is a place to start. We may not be able to alter the journey, but we can make sure no one walks it alone.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
- “In a BYU devotional, Elaine Walton, the Director of the BYU school of social work, pointed out that helping someone feel understood may be more important than giving them specific instruction about how to resolve a problem or accomplish a task. “We find [in social work] — even those with the most profound problems –have remarkable ability and motivation to change and to solve their own problems once they really feel understood.” – President Scott Smith, San Clemente Stake Conference, June 13th, 2021