Differentiate universal needs from the strategies people propose to meet them.
Needs are universal; strategies are negotiable. In NVC, needs are not luxuries or preferences. They are the underlying human qualities we are trying to support in work and life: clarity, respect, contribution, rest, autonomy, trust, order, learning, fairness, and care. The common mistake People label strategies as needs. "I need you to answer Slack within five minutes" is not a need. It is one proposed strategy for meeting a need such as reassurance, reliability, or momentum. Why the distinction helps If two strategies clash, teams assume one side must lose. If both sides can name the needs underneath, more options…
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