Differences among responses could also mean that something must be clarified.

How to clarify information

Pay close attention during the phone call. This may be difficult, because you are also thinking about the next thing to say. However, you do want to be aware of revealing answers or comments from the contact. A phrase or a particular tone of voice may tell you more than the facts presented by the contact. Listen to what he is not saying.

It may be beneficial to use active listening at this point. Here is the procedure:

• Accept what people actually say
  • Did you hear two statements that seemed to be incompatible? Don't try to correct them in your mind
  • Did you hear some "wrong" statements? Don't try to force the statements to match each other
• Realize that you are actually looking for differences in information
• Ask to summarize the response in your own words
• If the contact agrees, then be sure to deal with this issue when you call the next contact

These differences in information are thus very valuable indeed.

• They may be a way to formulate questions for contacts who offer only positive information
• Following your Berurim, the responses may help you formulate focused and directed questions on your dates
• You may also want to gently and tactfully clarify the reason for these conflicts in information