If you are a jackal, you will try to reassure. Jackals try to fix people in pain. They can't stand pain, but make matters worse by trying to get rid of it. Put on giraffe ears. Try to hear what they are feeling and needing.

When we express our needs indirectly through the use of evaluations, interpretations, and images, others are likely to hear criticism. When people hear anything that sounds like criticism, they tend to invest their energy in self-defense or counterattack. It's important that when we address somebody that we're clear what we want back.

When we are depressed, our thinking blocks us from being aware of our needs, and then being able to take action to meet our needs.

We can't win at somebody else's expense. We can only fully be satisfied when the other person's needs are fulfilled as well as our own.

You'll find people less threatening if you hear what they're needing rather than what they're thinking about you.

The cause of anger lies in our thinking - in thoughts of blame and judgment.

NVC helps us connect with each other and ourselves in a way that allows our natural compassion to flourish.