Find a point of conflict within your family and ask the individuals involved
to play out the situation--but as each other. Seeing yourself portrayed by
others can be an eye-opening experience. Expect some protests, "I don't sound
like that!"
Make sure everyone tones down the sarcasm and moves into the problem-solving
portion of the conflict. Encourage the participants to use reflective listening
to find the motivations and feelings behind the conflict. Role reversal is an
excellent tool for learning empathy, the ability to understand what other people
are feeling. It's the "walk a mile in my shoes" experience.
During the role reversals, you will more than likely encounter episodes where
someone who is being portrayed will say, "No, that's not what I think at all!"
Listen, you will probably learn something important.
Learn more about reflective listening:
Communication Skills
