Concern for the person

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Concern for the person

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Show a personal concern for the well-being of other person. Ask after their career, health, happiness and so on.

Get them to open up and just listen.

Accept what they say without criticism.

Offer them ideas for how they can improve their lives (but only if you feel they are ready to hear these thoughts). Ask them what they think about your advice.

Example

Hello, Jane. I was worried about you last week. Were you ill?

Perhaps you should take a few days off to think things over. What do you think?

Discussion

When people are troubled by health or other fundamental matters, then, as per Maslow's hierarchy, they tend to retreat inwards and away from more social conversation. This can limit conversation with them.

When you show concern for the other person you build trust and draw them closer. When they trust you enough, they will expose something of their hidden self.