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BayNVC - Bay Area Nonviolent Communication
NVC in the Workplace Success Story
NOTE: Space is still available in our "Making Collaboration Real" workplace communication retreat intensive, May 10-14, 2010 in Northern California. Click here for more information.
from a 2009 Leadership Program Participant
I wanted to share an experience that I had recently in my workplace where I saw a little bit of NVC magic. I am constantly amazed by how even my beginner level NVC goes such a long way in a place where we have become unaccustomed to really listening!
We had a very contentious issue regarding the hiring of a new staff member. Several people on the existing staff had applied and were not hired, and an "outsider" to their team was going to be coming in to help lead their team,
and to top it off, it appeared this new person had less experience than they did.
Against the advice of my manager, I chose to have a group meeting and invite anyone with a concern about the hiring decision to bring up their concern. When the team members began to speak they were angry and the their comments were accusatory and bitter. As the leader of the meeting I let them finish what they were saying and checked in with each one about whether I had correctly heard their feeling and needs (I didn't say the words "feelings" and "needs" of course!). I was surprised that each person spoke, making me realize they knew they were safe, even though with some of them I was three management levels from them.
After they were all done, then I explained to the extent that I could what went into our decision about the hiring. I don't think they would have been open to hearing this before they were first heard and the connection was made.
After that is what I thought was magical. One person spoke up and said how they wanted the new person to feel welcome, and they wanted them to succeed, and that she would do what she could to make that happen. Each person in turn echoed that sentiment around the room.
After this meeting was over, I had several of them come up and thank me, and say how they wish they could have more meetings like this. Word got back to my manager about how sincere and caring I was. Now I doubt I'm more sincere or caring than any other of the people I work with, I just have more tools, and I want to thank all of you helping me along this journey. Each of you have taught me something I can use in my daily walk.
Best of all, I have the support of my manager to work toward being able to have some kind of offering of NVC at the state level. He said he has noticed a difference in how I communicate and can see the positive results!
Lori
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