--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In NVC, no matter what words others may…" description: "\"In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.\" — Marshall ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-u_866383.png" --- # In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express… ![“In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-u_866383.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-u_866383.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-u_866383.png) > “In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.” [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. Listening for observations, feelings, needs, and requests helps move beyond judgments to genuine connection. **In simple terms:** Focus on underlying emotions and needs, not just words. Key Takeaway Practice empathetic listening. Themes communication empathy conflict resolution Mood compassionate reflective Type advice educational When to use this quote - counseling - team meetings - family discussions - customer service Key Concepts Nonviolent Communication active listening Questions to Reflect On - How can you separate observation from evaluation? - What needs are unmet in this conversation? A Different Perspective May overlook factual accuracy if over‑emphasizing feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-needs-906190/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen/) [Listen Observations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-observations-906189/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [No matter what](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-matter-what/) [Nonviolent communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent-communication/) [Nvc Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nvc-matter-906188/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Request](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/request/) [Simply Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply-listen-906191/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [When we are in contact with our feelings and needs, we humans no longer make good slaves and underlings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-we-are-in-contact-with-our-feelings-and-needs-we-humans-no/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [When we listen for their feelings and needs, we no longer see people as monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-we-listen-for-their-feelings-and-needs-we-no-longer-see-people/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Never connect yourself with the other person's pain. Just hear their need. Leave yourself out of the other person's feelings and needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/never-connect-yourself-with-the-other-person-s-pain-just-hear-their/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [I recommend allowing others the opportunity to fully express themselves before turning our attention to solutions or requests for relief. When we proceed too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/i-recommend-allowing-others-the-opportunity-to-fully-express/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [When you are with a landscape or a human being where there is no need to speak, but simply to listen, to perceive, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/when-you-are-with-a-landscape-or-a-human-being-where-there-is-no-need/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [Only listen to the observations of the enlightened because everyone else is self-centered, egocentric and bound by the net of desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-listen-to-the-observations-of-the-enlightened-because-everyone/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [In nonviolent communication, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/in-nonviolent-communication-no-matter-what-words-others-may-use-to/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [When it comes to giving advice, never do so unless you've first received a request in writing, signed by a lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-it-comes-to-giving-advice-never-do-so-unless-you-ve-first/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Don't get addicted to your requests. Your objective is needs, not requests. Because then it becomes a demand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/don-t-get-addicted-to-your-requests-your-objective-is-needs-not/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [The number one reason that we don't get our needs met, we don't express them. We express judgments. If we do express needs, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/the-number-one-reason-that-we-don-t-get-our-needs-met-we-don-t/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [There are the two main reasons we don't get our needs met. First, we don't know how to express our needs to begin with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/there-are-the-two-main-reasons-we-don-t-get-our-needs-met-first-we/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Any time you throw pain at a Jackal without a clear present request, within a millisecond he'll jump in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/any-time-you-throw-pain-at-a-jackal-without-a-clear-present-request/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [To be able to hear our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/to-be-able-to-hear-our-own-feelings-and-needs-and-to-empathize-with/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Making a request without revealing the feeling/need takes all the joy out of other's service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-liu/making-a-request-without-revealing-the-feeling-need-takes-all-the-joy/) [Lucy Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-liu/) > [An amazing observation: it is precisely for feelings that one needs time, not for thought. ... Feelings, obviously, are more demanding than thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-tsvetaeva/an-amazing-observation-it-is-precisely-for-feelings-that-one-needs/) [Marina Tsvetaeva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-tsvetaeva/) ## 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. 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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. 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