--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always listen to what people need rather…" description: "\"Always listen to what people need rather than what they are thinking about us.\" — Marshall B. Rosenberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_always-listen-to-what-people-need-rather_3087446.png" --- # Always listen to what people need rather than what they… ![“Always listen to what people need rather than what they are thinking about us.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_always-listen-to-what-people-need-rather_3087446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_always-listen-to-what-people-need-rather_3087446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f3/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_always-listen-to-what-people-need-rather_3087446.png) > “Always listen to what people need rather than what they are thinking about us.” [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritize understanding people's needs over worrying about their judgments of you. **In simple terms:** Focus on needs, not opinions. Key Takeaway Listen for needs first. Themes communication empathy relationships Mood empathetic practical Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - customer service - conflict mediation - team leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts nonviolent communication needs assessment Questions to Reflect On - How can you ask about needs without sounding intrusive? - What signals indicate unmet needs? A Different Perspective People may hide needs behind opinions, making them hard to discern. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen/) [Listen People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-people/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Need Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-thinking-766856/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Nonviolent communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent-communication/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-need/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [People who are elected by the people need to remember they need to listen to the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/people-who-are-elected-by-the-people-need-to-remember-they-need-to/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [I need to be thinking about a few things at once. I think it actually helps because you're cross-fertilizing yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-griffith/i-need-to-be-thinking-about-a-few-things-at-once-i-think-it-actually/) [Saul Griffith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-griffith/) > [When that second airplane hit the building, we all changed. We need to get back to some serious thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/when-that-second-airplane-hit-the-building-we-all-changed-we-need-to/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) > [Leaders need to be thinking constantly about what they're doing to create a basic sense of security and stability throughout an organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/leaders-need-to-be-thinking-constantly-about-what-they-re-doing-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [And is it not the chief good of money, the being free from the need of thinking of it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/and-is-it-not-the-chief-good-of-money-the-being-free-from-the-need-of/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [I need what I'm thinking to come out into the world, even if it's a two-word approval, like, "Yeah, I agree," I need that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-yelchin/i-need-what-i-m-thinking-to-come-out-into-the-world-even-if-it-s-a/) [Anton Yelchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-yelchin/) > [If you love your country, then you need to be thinking a lot more critically about what justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-stevenson/if-you-love-your-country-then-you-need-to-be-thinking-a-lot-more/) [Bryan Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-stevenson/) > [I start every day making sure I'm where I need to be and thinking like I need to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/i-start-every-day-making-sure-i-m-where-i-need-to-be-and-thinking/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [Positive thoughts - get where you need to go by thinking you're going to get there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-amendola/positive-thoughts-get-where-you-need-to-go-by-thinking-you-re-going/) [Danny Amendola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-amendola/) > [There is a time to speak and a time to listen, and sometimes people need to shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hope-baron-hope-of-thornes/there-is-a-time-to-speak-and-a-time-to-listen-and-sometimes-people/) [David Hope, Baron Hope of Thornes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hope-baron-hope-of-thornes/) > [The surest way to return to the people's business is to listen to the people themselves: We need to drop this whole scheme of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-brown/the-surest-way-to-return-to-the-people-s-business-is-to-listen-to-the/) [Scott Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-brown/) > [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Plans to exact retribution are never going to make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/plans-to-exact-retribution-are-never-going-to-make-us-safer/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/understanding-the-other-persons-needs-does-not-mean-you-have-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## More by Marshall B. Rosenberg > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/understanding-the-other-persons-needs-does-not-mean-you-have-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Plans to exact retribution are never going to make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/plans-to-exact-retribution-are-never-going-to-make-us-safer/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [What I want in my life is compassion a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/what-i-want-in-my-life-is-compassion-a-flow-between-myself-and-others/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/analyses-of-others-are-actually-expressions-of-our-own-needs-and/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Staying with empathy we allow speakers to touch deeper levels of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/staying-with-empathy-we-allow-speakers-to-touch-deeper-levels-of/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Punishment is the root of violence on our planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/punishment-is-the-root-of-violence-on-our-planet/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/often-instead-of-offering-empathy-we-have-a-strong-urge-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-is-founded-on-language-and-communication-skills-that-strengthen/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Ask before offering advice or reassurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/ask-before-offering-advice-or-reassurance/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [If you think ahead to what to say next - like how to fix it or make the person feel better - BOOM! Off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/if-you-think-ahead-to-what-to-say-next-like-how-to-fix-it-or-make-the/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Two questions help us see why we are unlikely to get what we want by using punishment... The first question is: What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/two-questions-help-us-see-why-we-are-unlikely-to-get-what-we-want-by/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Praise and reward create a system of extrinsic motivations for behavior. Children (and adults) end up taking action in order to receive the praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/praise-and-reward-create-a-system-of-extrinsic-motivations-for/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Everything we do is in service of our needs. When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/everything-we-do-is-in-service-of-our-needs-when-this-one-concept-is/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) [Explore all 283 Marshall B. Rosenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. 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