About two years ago the NVC Academy organized an online symposium on Removing Our Blinders: Seeing the Impact of Power and Privilege.  The symposium offered opportunities for those of European background and people of color to share their experiences as well as men and women, and for others to empathically listen in a virtual fishbowl. This … Continue reading NVC Conversations About Power, Privilege, “Power-Over” and Social Change

I recently got into a discussion about the concept of “deserve” thanks to the person who sends out emails for me, who dropped the “D” word in a recent subject line about a program I’m leading next week in North Carolina. If you missed it, the subject line read:  “You Deserve Your Best Life.”   … Continue reading What Do You Deserve? And Do You Really Want to Deserve Anything?

Most people value authenticity in their lives -- being honest, genuine, and real, and true to their values and their vision. If we want love and a depth of connection in our lives (most people I know want this), we want love and connection based on who we “really” are... our authentic selves! Authenticity in … Continue reading Living in Full Authenticity

A few years ago, I developed a course for DailyBitsOf.com on giving effective feedback. Thousands of people have tried it, and they said the course changed how they give and receive feedback. Recently, DailyBitsOf interviewed me on this topic and, in particular, on what makes giving feedback so hard? Here are some of my thoughts, from that … Continue reading Why is Giving Feedback SO Hard?

I know that "enjoying" sounds like a high bar. If someone's difficult I find often we don't want anything to do with them we want them out of our hair and out of our lives. What's amazing to me and impressive, over and over again, when I practice NVC and I practice self-empathy I get … Continue reading Enjoying Difficult People, Including Yourself: Special Holiday Edition!

“I love you.” Ah, that warm and fuzzy feeling! I can see hear birds singing. Little cupids with their bows and arrows, and rainbows! Every song and poem about romantic love floats into my head… as The Beatles croon, “All you need is love!” Love is a universal need.  We all need it.  In fact, … Continue reading What’s Love Got To Do With It? A Thousand Ways to Say, “I Love You” – in Giraffe.

This article is a reprint from a recently-published article in Empathische Zeit. Most people I know set a fairly low bar in terms of their expectations for their work experience. If you “like” your work that’s considered good. How many would say their work gives them joy---or empowerment, inspiration, creativity or energy? I believe every workplace … Continue reading Self-Management = More Joy at Work

Most people value authenticity in their lives---being honest, genuine and real---true to their values and their vision. If we want love and depth of connection in our lives---and most people want this too--- we want that love and connection based on who we "really" are--our authentic selves. We may see authenticity as important in intimate … Continue reading Living in Full Authenticity