Choose a topic with manageable intensity. The speaker gets two minutes to describe one experience. The listener first checks what they understood. Understanding another person does not require agreeing with every interpretation or giving up your own perspective.
Speaker round
Describe what happened, how it affected you, and what matters now. Keep to one event. You may read from notes, slow down, or stop. Avoid insults and claims about the other person's motives.
Listener round
Try: "What I hear is... The part that mattered most was... Did I understand?" Let the speaker correct one point. Then ask whether they want listening, ideas, or a practical response. Do not turn the reflection into a rebuttal.
Switch by agreement
When the speaker feels sufficiently understood, agree whether to switch or pause. This is a short practice, not a requirement to resolve the issue. Stop if either person feels intimidated or unsafe.
Reflection prompts
Use these questions in conversation, on paper, or in the downloaded PDF. You may adapt or skip a prompt.
- Speaker notes on the event and its impact
- Listener reflection in my own words
- One correction or detail I missed
- The response requested and our next step