In a world where human interaction is omnipresent, the quality of our communication plays a crucial role in the way we interact with each other. Non-Violent Communication (NVC) is a powerful tool for fostering harmonious and constructive relationships, whether in our personal or professional lives. In this article, we'll explore the importance of NVC training, its foundations, its benefits and the different approaches available for learning it.

The Foundations of Non-Violent Communication

NVC is based on four fundamental principles: 

• Observation: The first step in NVC is to observe what's going on in a given situation in a neutral, objective way, without passing judgment or interpreting the actions of others. This precise, factual observation lays a solid foundation for authentic, constructive communication. For example, instead of saying "You're always late", a factual observation would be: "You haven't been on time for the last three meetings."
• Feeling: Once the observation has been established, it's important to express our own feelings in relation to the situation we've observed. Feelings are personal, subjective emotions experienced in response to what we observe. NVC encourages us to identify and share these feelings honestly and openly. For example, "When you don't arrive on time, I feel frustrated and neglected."
• Need: Feelings often reflect deep, universal needs that we seek to satisfy in our interactions with others. Identifying and expressing these needs allows us to create an authentic connection and seek solutions that meet everyone's needs in a mutually satisfying way. For example, "I need to respect the time scheduled for our meetings so that we can make effective progress on our projects."
• Request: Finally, NVC encourages us to formulate clear, achievable requests to meet our needs and resolve conflicts constructively. Requests are concrete actions we propose to help meet our needs while respecting those of others. For example, "Could you please try to plan your schedule so that you can be punctual at our meetings in the future?".

These principles, developed by American psychologist Marshall B. Rosenberg, form the core of NVC and are essential for establishing harmonious, empathetic relationships. They invite us to observe situations objectively, to recognize and express our deepest feelings and needs, and to formulate clear, respectful requests.

In practice, it can be applied in a multitude of situations, whether in our personal, professional or community relationships. For example, instead of blaming someone for disruptive behavior, we can express our own feelings and needs, paving the way for more constructive communication and peaceful conflict resolution.

Why train in NVC

Investing in NVC training offers a multitude of advantages. 

1. Improving interpersonal relationships : NVC offers practical tools for better understanding the needs, emotions and motivations of others, enabling deeper, more authentic connections to be created. By learning to listen actively and express their own feelings and needs empathetically, participants in NVC training can significantly improve their relationships with colleagues.
2. Resolving conflict: NVC teaches conflict resolution techniques that emphasize mutual understanding and the search for win-win solutions. By learning to communicate in a non-violent way and to recognize the underlying needs of people in conflict, individuals trained in NVC are better equipped to defuse tensions and find mutually satisfactory compromises.
3. Developing emotional intelligence: NVC emphasizes self-awareness and emotional regulation, key skills of emotional intelligence. By learning to identify and clearly express their own emotions and needs, and to recognize and respect those of others, participants in NVC training strengthen their ability to effectively manage stressful situations, make informed decisions and maintain healthy relationships.
4. Transform harmful communication patterns: Many people have been conditioned to use aggressive, passive or passive-aggressive communication patterns that can lead to misunderstandings, resentments and broken relationships. NVC offers an alternative approach based on empathy, authenticity and mutual respect, enabling us to replace these harmful patterns with healthier communication habits.

What's more, NVC can be applied in a variety of professional contexts, whether in leadership, customer service, negotiation or problem-solving. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills and create healthier, more productive work environments.

The Different Approaches to NVC Training‍

A variety of methods are available for acquiring NVC skills, each tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Online courses 

Online courses are an excellent way to learn NVC because of their flexibility and accessibility. By enabling learners to study at their own pace, these courses offer the possibility of reconciling training with other personal or professional commitments. In addition, the variety of resources available online, such as videos, interactive exercises and discussion forums, enables learners to explore NVC concepts in a thorough and interactive way. This flexible, personalized approach fosters autonomous learning adapted to individual needs, offering an enriching and effective learning experience for acquiring non-violent communication skills.

In-company training 

In-company training in small groups is a great way to learn about NVC for several reasons. Firstly, they offer direct immersion in real-life communication contexts, enabling participants to put NVC principles into practice in a familiar work environment. Under the supervision of experienced trainers, they can experiment with different communication techniques and strategies, receiving immediate and constructive feedback to improve their understanding and competence. What's more, the small-group format encourages interaction and exchange between participants, resulting in collaborative learning where everyone can benefit from each other's experiences and perspectives. This interactive, hands-on approach enables learners to develop NVC skills effectively and sustainably, while strengthening cohesion and collaboration within the company.

In fact, this is the signature format of NUMA workshops, many of which deal with non-violent communication to help people work better together. 

Individual coaching 

Individual NVC coaching is an effective way to learn for several reasons. Firstly, it offers personalized support tailored to the needs of each learner, providing specific advice on how to improve NVC practice. Secondly, it provides individualized support and creates a safe space to work on complex communication situations. In addition, coaching encourages a deepening of skills by helping to identify habitual communication patterns and overcome emotional obstacles. Finally, it helps learners maintain their commitment to the learning process and achieve their communication development goals.

CNV certification

Last but not least, NVC certification is an essential step in validating acquired skills and guaranteeing quality training, thus fostering the emergence of competent, caring practitioners. This certification process often includes modules on key NVC themes, as well as advanced pedagogical concepts, ensuring optimal expression of the trainer's skills.

Application example

The OSBD method, in addition to being a good way of giving useful feedback, also encourages significant deepening in communication. By observing actions without judgment and expressing one's own feelings with the intention of empathic listening, it creates a space conducive to better mutual understanding. By identifying underlying needs and formulating requests more clearly, she facilitates problem-solving and improved relationships. You can download the OSBD tool and application examples free of charge from our dedicated page.

Ultimately, training in Non-Violent Communication offers invaluable tools for improving our relationships and communication with others. By developing skills in empathy, active listening and conflict resolution, individuals and organizations can create more harmonious, respectful and productive environments. By investing in NVC training programs, we can all contribute to building a world where mutual understanding and cooperation are at the heart of our daily interactions.