When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving.

Empathizing with someone's 'no' protects us from taking it personally.

When we listen for their feelings and needs, we no longer see people as monsters.

Power-Over leads to punishment and violence. Power-With leads to compassion and understanding, and to learning motivated by reverence for life rather than fear, guilt, shame, or anger.

The intention behind the protective use of force is to prevent injury, never to punish or to cause individuals to suffer, repent or change.

The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our way: it is to establish relationships based on honesty and empathy, which will eventually fulfill everyone's needs.

In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.