Our NEEDS....
What Does That Mean?
Needs are universal to all of us. In fact, everything we do, we do to fulfill our needs.... everything. From scratching our heads... to eating meals to getting married to hitting someone. We have this in common with every other human being on the earth.
In NVC, the reason that needs are so important is that as long as we choose to think about needs (and NOT focus our attention on our positions or opinions or blame or other judgments) we have common ground.
When we think this way, we can continue to have a dialogue with ANY other human being, regardless of their age, ethnicity, language, social status, political position, as long as the subject of the dialogue is our own and each others Feelings and Needs.
When the needs (not the strategies or stories) of people are deeply understood, new strategies almost always appear.
In times when new strategies don't appear, parties are much more inclined to choicefully have certain needs seen and NOT MET. In short, the process brings out the compassion in us resulting in more harmony.