What is the primary focus of reflective listening?

Reflective listening is fundamentally about understanding and validating the speaker's message, which is achieved by mirroring back what they have communicated. This technique involves actively listening to the speaker and reflecting their thoughts and feelings in response. By doing so, the listener demonstrates empathy and clarifies any misunderstandings, ensuring that the speaker feels heard and understood. This builds rapport and encourages open communication, making it an essential skill in both interpersonal and professional contexts, especially in code enforcement where clear communication is vital.

While summarizing key points and leading the conversation might be useful techniques in various discussions, they do not capture the essence of reflective listening as precisely as mirroring back the speaker's message. Reflective listening is more about creating an environment of understanding rather than directing the conversation or merely summarizing.