2.3 - PAIRED SHARING (Recommended, but optional)

1, Find a partner.

2, Decide who will go first. We’ll call this Partner A.

3. Partner A shares a story that was revealed during the Feelings and Needs Exercise, while Partner B listens, and maybe takes notes. You’ll have just about five minutes each, so no need to give all the details, just tell your story.

4. Once Partner A is finished sharing, Partner B is going to tell Partner A’s story back to Partner A. (Don’t worry, I’ll demonstrate how to do this in the video below.) This gives Partner A the chance to actually hear their own story told back to them. Once Partner B has shared back Partner A’s story, switch and repeat:

5. Partner B shares while Partner A listens, and maybe takes notes.

6. Once Partner B has finished sharing, Partner A shares Partner B’s story back to Partner B.

FAQ: Should I take notes while my partner is sharing or not? 
While your partner is sharing, your main requirement is to listen carefully enough to be able to tell the story back when it’s over. Taking notes is optional. If you have a “bad” memory, you might take notes so you can tell the story back more accurately. But if you feel that would distract you or keep you from being present with your partner, you may choose to just listen and not take notes. 

In the video below I’ll demonstrate two other techniques (reflective listening and clarifying questions), but these are also optional.

Watch me listen to a student share his Feelings and Needs Exercise: How to Review It (Length: 9:31)

Here are two very simple techniques I demonstrate in this video:

1. Reflective listening. This involves saying back to the speaker what you heard them say.

Examples:

• At 2:17 in the video I reference some of the feelings I heard him say: “confusion, at ease”

• At 3:09 I say “You mentioned needing stability, needing empathy and needing understanding.”

Tip: Try to use their words rather than inventing your own. (Example: If speaker says, “My father worked hard and wasn’t always there for me” don’t say, “You had a bad father.”) In short, avoid too much interpretation—the point here is to let your partner know you’re listening and tracking what they’re saying.)

Tip: Watch to see if your partner is nodding as you’re saying back what you heard. (Watch Adrian give a slight nod at 2:15 and 3:15.) That’s a sign that you’re tracking what they’re saying.

2. Clarifying questions. If you’re unclear on something, don’t be afraid to ask.

Examples:

• At 0:53 in the video I ask “How so?” to learn more about how his challenge impacted him.

• At 1:43 I say, “I’d be curious to hear more about that; what led you to feeling at ease?

Tip: Try not to sidetrack things too much—let the speaker lead—but if you want to clarify, for example, how old your partner was when she came to the US, feel free to ask. Then be quiet and let her keep talking.

Tips for telling your partner’s story back to them:

1. Don’t be afraid to reference their actual Feelings and Needs paper as you tell them back their story. 

2. Make eye contact, if you’re able, and watch to see if your partner is nodding as you tell the story back to them.

3. I acknowledge when I say things that I’m making up. At 7:01 I say: “You didn’t say this, but…” 

4. I affirm Adrian a couple times as he’s talking: “This was really interesting” (at 6:45) and at “It sounds like in raising him you’ve [also raised yourself] which I find really inspiring” (at 8:57).

One-Minute Reflection (Optional):
At this point your facilitator may ask you what you discovered during this exercise. (Notice Adrian’s share at 9:10 of the video). But sharing is optional. 

Once that’s done, it’s time to learn about one more way to structure your essay.