What is the connection between Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Business?
Nonviolent Communication [ also called Non Violent Communication, NVC, Compassionate Communication/ or Needs Based Communication] is a process which people use to communicate with greater compassion and clarity. It focuses on two things: honest self-expression — exposing what matters to oneself in a way that’s likely to inspire compassion in others, and empathy — listening with deep compassion. Formal NVC self-expression includes four elements: observations (distinguished from interpretations/evaluations), feelings (emotions separate from thoughts), needs (deep motives) and requests (clear, present, doable and without demand).
-from Wikipedia. More on NVC here.
Like many of those using it I’ve found Nonviolent Communication enriches interpersonal relationships and helps tremendously with both education and conflict resolution. Where I don’t hear it applied very often is in the business world, perhaps because of the name and the type of people that are attracted to it? I’m not sure. This post is an attempt to redress that as I’ve found NVC to be very useful in running my training business and would like to share some example of this.
The Practice of Non Violent Communication in Business
Nonviolent Communication trainer and business associate Andy Mason and I are committed to working together in an NVC way. When we discuss business projects emotions and needs are not taboo as they are in some workplaces. Simply being able to be upfront about what mood we are in makes a big difference to communication as does being able to really listen to each other. Awareness of needs makes sure that the work we are doing together is a joy, as it’s connected to what we really care about.
Andy an I are also there for each other as “emergency empathy buddies” which has really met my need for support on a number of occasions doing business – for example when I got an extremely emotive and difficult e-mail 15 min before I was due to talk with a new client and called Andy to get my head together. The client is now a regular 🙂
I’ve found that NVC-style listening and needs awareness naturally creates a depth of connection that makes working together a breeze and creates a real sense of humanity and care in business.
Payment
“How much would you like to pay?” is not the normal question businesses ask clients, but this is how I like to approach the matter. Similarly we have opened a job interview in this manner. I stay away from the idea that my or employees business services are “worth” a particular amount that I then should demand. That is not to say I work for free – I hear an offer and see if it works for me in relation to all my needs. This takes a certain amount of courage and is not to be mistaken for negotiation.
NVC Sales and Marketing
Business is a beautiful spiritual process which exists to meet people’s needs. Now…this isn’t the common understanding and “sales” is a often considered a dirty word – particularly in the UK. An NVC understanding of sales and marketing would suggests that what sales is, is listening to your market and letting them know how you can meet their needs and make their lives more wonderful. Actually this is marketing basics and nothing new – “sell benefits”. I’ve found focusing on what clients need to be very helpful to both them and my own bottom-line. Most business is about relationship and arranging win-win situations – which NVC is very helpful for.
NVC Stress Management
There is a lot of stress in the business world at the moment and as helping people reduce their stress (need for relaxation and health, etc) is a core part of my business I am doing quite well. Should I be guilty about this or am I being paid to enrich people’s lives in a positive way? Feelings and needs awareness, of self and others (empathy) is crucial to stress management and efficient productive working, especially when times are tough.
NVC Leadership and NVC Team Building
Similarly, the “emotional intelligence” that NVC training brings supports team coordination and
leadership. I always introduce the NVC approach to empathy on even brief business team building and leadership approaches as it is one of the most time efficient and effective management interventions I know of.
Simply put – NVC is good for business.
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Business So What: I encourage all those involved in business to look into NVC not because it is nice but because it works.