About NVC

Our trainings are based on the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) communication model developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg.

The NVC Model

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a life-changing way of interacting that facilitates the flow of communication needed to exchange information and resolve differences peacefully. With its focus on human feelings and needs, the practice of NVC emphasizes emotional intelligence over intellectual analysis in expressing what’s going on in people. With its reliance on objective observations rather than evaluations NVC avoids making people defend themselves from value-laden judgments. And finally, by employing clear requests in place of demands, NVC raises the bar for communication skills by allowing everyone to get their needs met on their own terms, without coercion, fear of retribution, or loss of self-esteem.

The basic model consists of four components which directs people’s consciousness to the underlying aspects of individual needs, and establishes an environment for emotionally safe and revealing communication:

Observation
The concrete actions we are observing that are affecting us.

Feelings
How we feel in relation to what we are observing.

Needs
The needs, values, desires, etc. that are creating our feelings.

Request
The concrete actions we request in order to enrich our lives.


The Benefits

Personal skills

• Increased awareness of needs and their effects in generating feelings and actions;

• Increased needs and feelings vocabulary;

• Ability to identify the types of ‘thinking and language’ which lead to conflict;

• Increased awareness of ‘Command and Control’ versus ‘Partnership’ style exchanges;

• Increased awareness of ‘diagnoses/evaluations’ versus ‘clear observations’.

Interpersonal skills

• Ability to listen to others empathically;

• Ability to reframe ‘criticism’ and ‘rejection’ into productive and revealing dialogues;

• Ability to formulate clear and effective requests;

• Ability to address conflict effectively for mutually productive results;

• Ability to coach others towards more effective communication;

• Ability to celebrate achievements in ways that are authentic and meaningful.

Read Chapter 1 of Nonviolent Communication by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg (.pdf) (click here)

Interview with Rachelle on Nonviolent Communication (click here)

Rachelle's articles on Nonviolent Communication (click here)

More on Nonviolent Communication (click here)


If you have any questions or require additional information contact us.

(.pdf reader download)