cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/3511467
I learned what non violent communication is a day ago and I’m using it to mend a friendship.
Have you however used it at the workplace?
I find it unpractical: there are so many things to do at the workplace and the last thing stressed people with deadlines need is to have a conversation about feelings, but maybe I’m wrong?
A question for nurses working bedside: do you actually use non violent communication at your ward with your patients and actually have time to do your other duties, like charting, preparing infusions and meds, dealing with providers, insurance, the alcoholic who fights you, the demented one who constantly tries to leave the unit, the one who wants to leave ama (against medical advice)?
I haven’t heard it described as nonviolent communication, but yes.
I work with software development groups. It’s very helpful in stating a series of facts, separating them from the speaker, and limiting emotional involvement. When we’re requesting work from each other, it’s helpful, because it cushions demands and makes it easier to talk about what will happen if the request isn’t completed.
When stuff goes wrong, it’s even better. It makes it harder to blame. It also reduces absolute statements and hyperbole.
Generally, it reduces the emotion in a conversation and turns it into a discussion of alternatives and outcomes.
An excellent contrast with beating the person bloody with a stapler as we all used to do hourly in the 20th century.
Back then taking a bit of 2x4" to work, because the previous days lump had been reduced to splinters, as a busy desk jockey in my briefcase was considered normal. We’d bump into each other in the lumber yard and hospital ward, as the case may be, outside working hours. Obviously, the senior executives were provided with polished lead piping left with monographed gloves for board meetings. Actually firearms were reserved to special mass layoff events - It really isn’t true that Brits gave up their firearms, especially with the City having spread East into Docklands from the Square Mile and the Corporation of London bordering Essex.
Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People as a spoof and was surprised to find that so many took it seriously. If you listen carefully, you can still hear him laughing at the bank.
Oh the memories that stirred up for me.