Labeling and diagnosis is a catastrophic way to communicate. Telling other people what's wrong with them greatly reduces, almost to zero, the probability that we're going to get what we're after.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of empathy over simply providing advice or reassurance in conversations.
In this quote, Marshall B. Rosenberg highlights a common tendency people have to default to giving advice or sharing their own experiences instead of fully listening and empathizing with others. This observation underlines the need for people to cultivate true empathy, which requires being present for someone else's feelings without immediately jumping to solutions or personal reflections.
Themes
EmpathyListeningAdviceUnderstandingRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a training session on effective communication, this quote can be used to illustrate the significance of empathy in conflict resolution.
More from Marshall B. Rosenberg
All quotes →Whether I praise or criticize someone's action, I imply that I am their judge, that I'm engaged in rating them or what they have done.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
In nonviolent communication, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Then we may wish to reflect back, paraphrasing what we have understood. We stay with empathy, allowing others the opportunity to fully express themselves before we turn our attention to solutions or requests for relief.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
All that has been integrated into NVC has been known for centuries about consciousness, language, communication skills, and use of power that enable us to maintain a perspective of empathy for ourselves and others, even under trying conditions.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
The punitive use of force tends to generate hostility and to reinforce resistance to the very behavior we are seeking.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
Expressing our vulnerability can help resolve conflicts.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
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