Needs Inventory

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practice of learning to truly identify, listen and value both our own needs of those we are in communication with. NVC assumes that all actions are goal oriented and in the service of meeting our needs. When these needs are unmet it results in dysfunction, emotional chaos, confusion and/or violence. NVC uses a number of different skills and strategies but one that I find particularly useful is the Needs Inventory. We do not need to be in communication with another person to engage in violent or abusive behavior when our needs are unmet. There are times with the depression, anxiety or mental health struggles that we deal with are a direct result of consistently unmet or unaddressed needs. I have attached the Needs Inventory from The Center for Nonviolent Communication as a tool for you to use when entering into a difficult conversation or to use as an exploration into what your foundational needs are. Taking responsibility for these unmet needs and developing an assertive voice to declare your needs valuable  is a skill that can transform violence to compassion. Let’s talk about unmet needs and ways to address them, I can help.

TM