I think you hit it on the head with venting - if you do it once, it's venting, but if you do it over and over it is complaining. Seems like something you can't really draw a line for, but I know when I'm complaining, versus venting, because I find it easy to move on from a vent. It doesn't circle back the way a complaint does.
Yes, with active listening you make sure you have the intent of the message clear by asking question and reflecting back - "What I hear you saying is..." or "Help me understand what you mean when you say..." - it is an important part of the mediation process. You're a good active listener. I have often found that you ask questions so you make sure you have a clear understanding of what I'm trying to say.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-11-28 12:18 am (UTC)Yes, with active listening you make sure you have the intent of the message clear by asking question and reflecting back - "What I hear you saying is..." or "Help me understand what you mean when you say..." - it is an important part of the mediation process. You're a good active listener. I have often found that you ask questions so you make sure you have a clear understanding of what I'm trying to say.