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NVC Resources on Responsibility

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Empathic Connection and Politics

As I write this, it is just a few days after the U.S. Senate acquitted Donald Trump of impeachment. It is no surprise to me that Trump proclaimed himself completely vindicated and exonerated of any misdeeds. What has been shocking and disturbing to me (just when I thought I could no longer be shocked by him and our current political environment) is the way he has been talking about those who...
Creating Productive Group Gatherings

Trainer Tip I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention. —Diane Sawyer How many times have we attended meetings at work or in our personal lives that left us feeling overwhelmed, hopeless and annoyed? When we learn to clarify our needs, we create efficient and successful meetings. Several years ago, I attended a training of 60 people. One morning in...
Reaching Critical Mass

This week as the U.S. population continues to be dangerously divided on who won the presidential election, and the surging pandemic takes its devastating toll, I have been more deeply than ever contemplating the question, how can empathic communication go further out into the world to help people and the planet? What came first were the words “critical mass,” in the sense of a tipping point. I...
Liberty and Justice for All?

This past weekend was the 4th of July, Independence Day holiday in the U.S. It is meant to be a celebration of liberty, equality, and opportunity. But instead of celebration I feel deep mourning and pain. The American mythology is that liberty, equality, and opportunity are for everyone. Yet from the formation of this country and to this day it seems, these needs have been for some at the...
Observation, Feelings, Needs, and Requests (OFNR) Communication Components

Observation vs. Evaluation/Judgment Observation is awareness of what we perceive with our senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, smell — and also of our thoughts (images, words, concepts, evaluations). In language, we can describe purely what we are observing (i.e. words we hear, actions we see from our subjective frame of reference) separate from words that evaluate (e.g. liking or disliking,...
Addressing Inequalities in Groups Using NVC

Near the end of a two-day workshop I facilitated, a white man who had not spoken within the group yet shared that he often finds it difficult to speak up in group settings. A transgender man from the Global Majority* - who had spoken up frequently over the two days - reacted with pronounced irritation. In that moment, the Global Majority man heard the messages from his past being reinforced....
Why I'm Grieving the Loss of Both Israelis and Palestinians

The past week since the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas and the ensuing war in Gaza have been extraordinarily difficult. As distraught as I feel, I cannot begin to fathom the shock, grief, and pain of those directly affected. Yet I have been profoundly affected emotionally, both as a longtime peace activist and as an American Jew born to an Israeli parent. As a Buddhist meditation...
NVC & Social Change

Access this complete 8 session course We've seen how Nonviolent Communication can provide immense personal healing, but questions have arisen on whether it can also contribute to meaningful social change. Roxy believes it can, on both the individual level and the systemic level. NVC for Social Change teaches how to navigate these challenging social issues with love and compassion. By leveraging...
Pause Difficult Conversations with Skill and Self-Connection

Oren Jay Sofer explains how we can stay grounded and maintain choice during overwhelming or emotionally charged conversations. He highlights the importance of presence—feeling our feet, noticing our breath, and expanding our awareness—to counter the fight-or-flight response and self-regulate. Oren also teaches a simple three-part structure for pausing a conversation without damaging the...
Different Types of Requests

Ask the Trainer Dear Trainer, I have heard of different types of requests from listening to various trainers, such as requests for connection, for presence, for action, for clarity, for information and so on. I am finding this list of requests helpful in connecting my needs to the actions that might meet them. Could you share a list of requests, with examples of each, and a possible strategy...