Empathetic listening involves listening with the intent to understand how the speaker feels in addition to their ideas. The benefits include resolving problems and conflicts by enabling the listener to share emotions freely without judgment. Steps for empathetic listening include listening carefully, displaying an open caring posture, considering the speaker's emotions, and calmly reflecting back their feelings. Behaviors to avoid include questioning, judging, criticizing, lecturing, advising, interrupting, and giving autobiographical responses. Empathetic listening teaches understanding other perspectives.