{"id":23409,"date":"2026-05-20T09:44:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/?p=23409"},"modified":"2026-05-20T09:45:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:45:57","slug":"report_20260109_2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.total.titech.ac.jp\/en\/report_20260109_2\/","title":{"rendered":"[Workshop Report] Nonviolent Communication Workshop (Reported by: Yuta Murao, D2, School of Life Science and Technology, ToTAL 6th cohort)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
About the workshop<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Facilitator<\/td>Makiko Imai<\/strong><\/strong>
Certified NVC Trainer, Consultant\/Coach\/Facilitator\/Writer, ORSCC Systemic Coaching certified

Seiji Nagata<\/strong><\/strong>
Representative of Restorative Circles Japan, Conflict Resolution Facilitator, Graphic Harvester<\/td><\/tr>
Date & Time<\/td>
Day 1: Friday, January 9, 2026, 17:00\u201320:00
Day 2: Friday, January 16, 2026, 17:00\u201320:00<\/td><\/tr>
Venue<\/td>S6-203 (Day 1) and S6-308 (Day 2), Ookayama Campus<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this workshop, we learned about \u201cNonviolent Communication (NVC),\u201d a communication method to build better relationships with others. NVC aims to achieve mutual understanding by focusing on \u201cfeelings\u201d and \u201cneeds\u201d, rather than criticizing or blaming others when we face conflicts or misunderstandings. In daily life, we often unconsciously use language that contains evaluation, judgment, or criticism. However, such expressions can make dialogue and mutual understanding more difficult. In this workshop, we first learned about the basic concepts of NVC as an alternative approach. In particular, we gained a deeper understanding of the concepts considering the 4 key elements (Observation, Feeling, Needs, and Request) through both lectures and practical activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Activity 1\uff1aIcebreaker<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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As an icebreaker activity, we first discussed topics such as \u201cWhat does leadership mean to you?\u201d and \u201cWhy is communication important for leadership?\u201d in groups. After the discussion, each group shared their ideas with the class. Through this activity, participants became more comfortable talking with people.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 2\uff1aBasic concepts of NVC<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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We learned about \u201cviolent communication,\u201d which was introduced as a contrasting concept to NVC. In this lecture, we discussed how blaming others, making assumptions, and relying on stereotypes or fixed ideas can lead to difficulties in dialogue. Then, we learned the 4 key elements (Observation, Feeling, Needs, and Request). \u201cObservation\u201d means seeing situations objectively without evaluation or judgment. By considering this, we realized that it becomes possible to share situations without blaming others. Also, we learned that \u201cfeelings\u201d should be distinguished from \u201cthoughts\u201d. In other words, once we think about an event, it is no longer a pure feeling. Furthermore, \u201cneeds\u201d were explained as the values and meanings that people consider important. And \u201crequests\u201d should be expressed not as commands, but as proposals or gifts to others. By learning these concepts, we realized seeing all human actions as attempts to fulfill some kind of need is very important.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 3\uff1aSelf-empathy exercise<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we worked on self-empathy exercise that focused on our inner feelings and needs. In this activity, we reflected on events in daily life and tried to understand ourselves by talking about feelings and needs. For example, when we felt irritated with someone, we reflected on questions such as \u201cWhat did the other person say to you?\u201d, \u201cWhat thoughts came to your mind?\u201d, and \u201cWhat feelings do you have now when you remember the experience?\u201d. Through this process, we realized that needs such as \u201cwant to be understood\u201d or \u201cwant to be respected\u201d had not been satisfied. By focusing on the needs based on the facts, I felt that I was able to understand myself deeply.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 4\uff1aEmpathic listening<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we worked on empathic listening to understand the inner feelings and needs of others. In this activity, participants were asked to listen without their opinions or interpretations considering the feelings and needs behind the speaker\u2019s story. In the pair work, one person was the speaker and the other was the listener. Rather than evaluating the speaker\u2019s story, the listener focused on the speaker\u2019s needs and responded that \u201cIs \u25cb\u25cb important to you?\u201d. Through this process, we realized the importance of trying to understand the needs behind words. We also experienced that by stopping interpreting the story or giving advice immediately, it became possible to create a space where the speaker could talk more openly and deeply. In addition, it was impressive to see that when feelings and needs were expressed in words, the speaker often felt truly understood and empathized with. Through this activity, I felt that empathic listening is fundamentally an attitude of being interested in the other person\u2019s inner feelings, and that it is effective for building trustful relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 5\uff1aDialogue using NVC<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Finally, we practiced dialogue using the NVC elements that we had learned throughout the workshop. Specifically, we reflected on situations where conflict or disagreement occurred and communicated our thoughts to others by organizing them based on the four elements of NVC (Observation, Feeling, Needs, and Request). After that, the listener shared the points they considered important or meaningful in the presentation. Then, the speaker listened to this feedback and checked whether their intentions had been correctly understood. Through this activity, I felt that NVC promotes empathy and helps deepen mutual understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Day 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Activity 1\uff1aReflection on the previous session<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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First, participants reflected on and shared what they had learned in the previous session in the group. We were reminded of the idea that \u201call human actions are attempts to fulfill certain needs\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 2\uff1aLecture on requests<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we learned about the concept of \u201crequests\u201d in NVC and how they differ from \u201cdemands\u201d. In the lecture, it was explained that request in NVC means being able to respect the other person even when they respond \u201cno\u201d. On the other hand, if a person blames the other person or becomes angry when their request is refused, then it is the demands. In this way, we learned that requests mean to respect the needs of both people, whereas demands mean to care only for their own needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this lecture, I also realized that in daily life, I may sometimes intend to make a request, but unconsciously make a demand instead. I learned that in NVC, it is important not only to express our own needs, but also to respect the other person\u2019s freedom and choices. Furthermore, we learned that the goal of communication should not be to make others obey us, but to build connections by understanding each other\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 3\uff1aLecture on observation<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we learned about the difference between \u201cobservation\u201d and \u201cinterpretation\u201d in NVC. In NVC, it is important to describe situations based on facts, without including personal judgments or assumptions. On the other hand, expressions such as \u201cYou always criticize others\u201d or \u201cYou are that kind of person\u201d contain personal evaluations and interpretations. Through this lecture, I realized that we often speak with unconscious assumptions or judgments in daily life. Therefore, I felt that observing facts objectively leads to building mutual understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 4\uff1aEmpathic listening using cards<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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Next, we conducted empathic listening using cards that described different feelings and needs. The purpose of this activity was to understand the emotions and needs behind another person\u2019s words in situations involving conflicts or dissatisfaction. During the activity, we also practiced distinguishing between \u201cobservation\u201d and \u201cinterpretation.\u201d For example, the statement \u201cMy sister said she could not go to the movie\u201d was an observation, while \u201cShe is selfish\u201d was an interpretation. In this way, I realized that separating facts from evaluations helps us focus on our feelings and needs instead of blaming others. We also practiced feedback focused on fulfilled needs. Specifically, we expressed our thoughts in the following way, \u201cWhen you did \u25cb\u25cb, I was happy because my need for \u25cb\u25cb was fulfilled. Thank you\u201d. By doing this, I learned the importance of not only saying \u201cthank you,\u201d but also explaining and sharing specifically why I feel grateful. Through this activity, I realized that even in difficult situations, focusing on feelings and needs can lead to better mutual understanding. I also felt that empathic listening deepens understanding of others and myself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Activity 5\uff1aCheck-out<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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At the end of the workshop, participants shared what they had learned and what had left an impression on them throughout the two-day session. Then, they shared the contents of their discussion with the entire class. Many participants said that the idea \u201cthere must be some kind of need behind the behavior\u201d was especially impressive. In addition, they said how difficult it is to separate \u201cobservation\u201d from \u201cinterpretation\u201d, and realized that they often unconsciously make judgments or assumptions during daily conversations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reflection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Through this workshop, my recognition of communication changed significantly. Until now, when problems occurred, I tended to focus on the words and actions. However, from the perspective of NVC, I learned that it is important to focus on the needs behind them. I also realized the difficulty and the importance of listening to others without judging or evaluating them. In the future, I would like to apply these ideas to daily communication in research and collaborative work by considering the needs of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional note<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I was impressed that the participants seemed to enjoy sharing their experiences and emotions with others during this workshop. In particular, during the pair and group activities, participants showed a strong willingness to understand each other empathetically and I realized the importance of NVC. I strongly recommend this workshop to people who struggle with interpersonal communication or dialogue and who want to improve their communication skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yuta Murao, D2, School of Life Science and Technology, ToTAL 6th cohort<\/p>\n