----------------------------------------------------- About the Nonviolent Communication Process With this focus even the most difficult of conflicts can more easily be defused. Tension is relieved, and feelings can be expressed without blame. When communicating in the consciousness of NVC, the potential for mutually satisfying outcomes—even in the most difficult of situations—is much more possible.
Most of us have been educated from birth to compete, judge, demand and diagnose—to think and communicate in terms of what is “right” and “wrong” with people. We express our feelings in terms of what another person has “done to us,” instead of a feeling independent of another person. We mix up our basic human needs with the strategies we’re using to meet those needs (we say “I want you to spend more time with me,” instead of “I’m really needing companionship”). And, we ask for what we’d like using demands, the threat of punishment, guilt, or even the promise of rewards.
At best, the habitual ways we think and speak hinder communication and create both misunderstanding and frustration. And still worse, they can lead to anger, depression and even violence. Marshall Rosenberg’s vision is to teach a much more peaceful and effective alternative.
Effective Communication Skills for
Work, Family, Home and Community
Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication process provides a simple, effective method to get to the root of conflict, violence, and pain peacefully. By going beyond "active listening" techniques and examining the unmet needs behind what we say or do, NVC serves as a practical, transformative method to address the root of conflict and violence once and for all.
Much More than a Communication Technique
Central to the effectiveness of the Nonviolent Communication process is the intention we bring to any interaction—first and foremost, an intention to make a compassionate connection, rather than being tied to a specific outcome, being “right”, or on something you’d like the other person to do.
Transform Destructive Communication Patterns into Healthy, Effective Communication
At the root of the NVC process are a few basic assumptions about human nature, and the effect our language can have in determining the quality of our relationships:
Foster Healthy, Satisfying Relationships with Family, Friends, Co-Workers and Community
These powerful communication skills will help you stay calm and compassionate even in the most trying circumstances. With our communication books, you'll learn to understand the core of all forms of violence, conflict and emotional pain—and how to peacefully find satisfying resolutions where you never thought they were possible.
The NVC process helps build your emotional vocabulary, and provides a framework so you can more clearly communicate your feelings, hopes, and what you want in ways that help guarantee you’ll be heard.
This framework creates a clear path to effective conflict resolution by helping us step away from the blame, criticism, and judgment that usually perpetuate conflicts.
And finally, the NVC process gives us steps to transform negative inner dialogue—“it’s all my fault,” “why don’t people like me,” “why am I so ugly,” “I’m so unlovable,”—into more empowering dialogue that stimulates acceptance and self-growth.
But I’m Not a Violent Person, so what can the NVC Process Offer Me?
This is a common question when people read the term “Nonviolent Communication.” Most people refer to violence as physically trying to hurt another. In the NVC process we also consider violence to be any use of power over people, or trying to coerce people into doing things. That would include any use of motivating others by fear of punishment and promise of reward, or any use of guilt, shame, duty or obligation. Violence in this larger sense is defined as any use of force (verbal or physical) to get people to do things, or any system that includes structures that support this “power-over” paradigm.
For more information, visit:
www.NonviolentCommunication.com
www.CNVC.org