Introduction

Building Community & Embracing Diversity

The Art of Compassionate Communication

Facilitation Skills: Decision Making & Conflict Resolution

Personal Empowerment & Leadership Skills

Celebrating Life:
Art & Creativity

Observing without Evaluating

The first principle of NVC entails the separation of observation from evaluation. When we combine observation with evaluation, others will hear criticism and resist what we are saying. It is what happens when we use words like ‘always’ or ‘never’, intended to exaggerate our observation of what somebody else has done. How do you react when you hear something like ‘you are always late’?

Observations must be specific to time and context. Instead of saying ‘you are always late’, we can say: ‘you were late the last three times to our meetings’.

Examples:

• Observe without Evaluate
• Learn to Identify and Express Your Feelings
• Take Responsibility for Your Feelings, Acknowledge Your Needs
• Make Requests Consciously
• Receive Empathically

Marshall B. Rosenberg "Non Violent Communication" book