How can you confirm that you understood someone's message?

Paraphrasing what someone has said is an effective method for confirming your understanding of their message. This technique involves restating the key points or main ideas in your own words, which demonstrates active listening and helps clarify any potential misunderstandings. By doing so, you not only show the speaker that you are engaged but also provide them with an opportunity to correct any misinterpretations or elaborate further if necessary. This approach fosters better communication and strengthens interpersonal relationships by ensuring that both parties are on the same page.

In contrast, asking someone to repeat themselves may not fully demonstrate your listening skills or help clarify your understanding, especially if the original message wasn't fully processed. Ignoring their feelings overlooks the emotional context of the conversation and can lead to further misunderstandings. Changing the subject to avoid issues is counterproductive, as it dismisses the importance of the original message and fails to address any concerns or confusion.