Lesson 3 of 8
Validate first, fix later
About 5 min
The goal
Practice GIVE's core move: making someone feel heard before anything gets solved.
Do it step by step
- 1
Next time someone shares a problem, pause before advising.
- 2
Reflect the feeling first: "That sounds really frustrating" or "No wonder that stung."
- 3
Ask one interested question before offering any solution.
- 4
Notice how the conversation changes when validation comes first.
For parents
This one is mostly for parents: teens report that being fixed feels like being dismissed. Validate, then ask "do you want help or just an ear?"
Saved only on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere.