Which term describes listening that involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another?

Empathetic listening is characterized by the ability to not only hear what someone is saying but also to appreciate and share in their emotional experience. This type of listening goes beyond mere comprehension of the words being spoken; it requires an emotional connection and a deep understanding of the speaker's feelings and perspective.

In a sporting context, empathetic listening can be particularly important when coaches or teammates are trying to support an athlete who is experiencing stress, anxiety, or performance-related challenges. By practicing empathetic listening, individuals can create a supportive environment that fosters trust and open communication, ultimately leading to better team dynamics and improved performance.

Reflective listening, while related, primarily focuses on paraphrasing or summarizing what another person has expressed to show understanding, without as much emphasis on sharing emotional insight. Active listening involves fully concentrating and responding to the speaker, but it does not inherently require sharing emotions. Lastly, passive listening is a more disengaged form of listening where the listener may not actively process the information being conveyed, which does not foster the emotional connection necessary for empathetic listening.