About Non-Violent Communication

What we say matters. We all know of the great harm that can be inflicted through speech. Words laced with anger or cruelty can break a relationship and burn for years. Violent communication is often the result of using manipulative or coercive language that induces fear, guilt, shame or blame. It need not be malevolent; it is often automatic and habitual.

Non-Violent Communication, or “NVC” is a process of communication that was developed by the late Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. Dr. Rosenberg chose the name “Nonviolent” Communication to refer to Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa or nonviolence. NVC has been successfully used in different conflict situations all around the world for over 40 years.

NVC’s approach to communication emphasizes understanding as the motivation for action rather than fear, guilt, shame, blame, threat or punishment. In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later.