Communication shapes our interactions and relationships, whether spoken, written, or internal. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers a structured approach to expressing ourselves with clarity and empathy, strengthening our emotional intelligence.
At its core, NVC is about understanding and meeting needs through compassionate dialogue. It follows four steps: observations, feelings, needs, and requests. We first observe a situation without judgment, identify our emotions, connect them to an underlying need, and make an explicit, actionable request.
Equally important is empathetic listening—recognizing others' feelings and needs to foster more profound understanding. When we engage in this give-and-take with compassion, we transform conflicts into opportunities for connection and mutual support.
