id: nvc-observation-step
title: NVC Observation Step
description: >-
  The first step of Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication — stating
  an observation free of evaluation, blame, or interpretation. Rooted in
  Rosenberg's work in mediation and peace education.
source: Center for Nonviolent Communication
source_url: https://www.cnvc.org/
tags: [nvc, communication, conflict, listening]
forked_from: null
image: null
steps:
  - headline: Identify the stimulus
    description: >-
      Before speaking, the person identifies the specific thing they observed
      — what they saw or heard, separate from any judgement about it.
  - headline: State without evaluation
    description: >-
      They articulate the observation as a factual statement: "When I saw the
      dishes left on the table after dinner..." rather than "When you were
      inconsiderate..."
  - headline: Invite confirmation
    description: >-
      The speaker can invite the other person's view of the same observation,
      allowing shared ground before moving to feelings and needs.
outcome: >-
  The conversation begins from a shared, non-judgemental description rather
  than from accusation, reducing defensiveness.
practice: >-
  Practice distinguishing observation from evaluation — "you were late" is
  often an evaluation. "We agreed to meet at seven; you arrived at seven
  twenty" is an observation.