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Perspective Skills

User Profile: kindEmbrace4674
kindEmbrace4674 August 1st
Hello everyone, 

Perspective skills stood out to me as another important topic to discuss. As active listeners on 7Cups, one of the skills we acquire through training and taking chat hours is taking on the perspective of others. As the course describes it, it is a collection of skills acquired through practice, and where you have to seek, understand, and actively use these different perspectives. It is a mature and well-understood framework of viewing the world. Instead of looking at it objectively, you view it subjectively because everyone's life experiences and viewpoints really shape how we view the world as unbiased active listeners tasked with providing a safe space for others by offering support without judgment. 

For Example, I am an American, and we are a very individualistic culture, meaning that our individual achievements and passions are held in the highest regard, while other countries, especially ones in the East, are very collectivistic cultures, so their identity is based on social roles and group belonging. As an active listener, I have to remember that when talking to members who are from collectivist cultures, group membership and social roles are held in higher regard than in America, so I have to take on the perspective of the member in order to listen and support them. 

I have two questions: 

1. What strategies do you employ while actively listening to step outside your own biased and subjective viewpoint, while remaining unbiased to provide support? 

2. Can you share an experience, without disclosing confidential information, where you were listening to a member and had to navigate a different cultural background? 
2
User Profile: AsherTree
AsherTree August 1st

@kindEmbrace4674

I was in a 1 on 1 chat and their was this person who was telling me how many things she was doing and they were all bad. I had to readjust constantly to try to emphasize because she was generally wrong in every situation.. I would just keep telling myself she's only human and i've got to accept that and struggle to find a good path for her..🌲

User Profile: Sarikaa05
Sarikaa05 2 days ago

I really liked how you highlighted the importance of understanding cultural differences while actively listening. Coming from an Indian background and studying psychology in the UK, I've realised how differently people can view family, relationships, and personal decisions. I think asking open-ended questions, avoiding assumptions, and listening without judgement are helpful ways to understand someone's perspective. It's also important to remember that everyone is unique, even within the same culture. Being culturally sensitive helps us create a safe and supportive space for others.

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