If I'm using Nonviolent Communication I never, never, never hear what somebody thinks about me. Never hear what somebody thinks about you, you'll live longer. You'll enjoy life more. Hear the truth. The truth is that when somebody's telling you what's wrong with you, the truth is they have a need that isn't getting met. Hear that they're in pain. Don't hear the analysis.

Regardless of our many differences, we all have the same needs. What differs is the strategy for fulfilling these needs.

With empathy we don't direct, we follow. Don't just do something, be there.

Never give advice to your children unless you have it in writing and notarized.

Empathize with silence by listening for the feelings and needs behind it.

Nonviolent Communication shows us a way of being very honest, but without any criticism, without any insults, without any put-downs, without any intellectual diagnosis implying wrongness.

All human actions are an attempt to meet needs.