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Maria Wichmann's avatar

I learned that non-violent communication is also called compassionate language. What surprised me a bit was that for the compassionate example the nurse asked yes-no questions. She was trying to guess and label the emotion of the other person. I thought open questions are better?

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Andra Stefanescu's avatar

Yes open questions are better. In situations when people are not opening to them guessing their needs and getting their yes with closed questions is also useful. Thank you for your thoughts here!

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Maria Wichmann's avatar

I see the difference now. Guessing helps to get started when someone is not open, yet or cannot find the right word to describe what is going on. Thanks!

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Andra Stefanescu's avatar

Happy to have clarified it.

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Todd Erler's avatar

Yes and no questions are great to “tease” out meaning from people who are not currently in touch with their deeper emotions and needs in the moment. These are great examples. I use these in emotional situations to bring clarity.

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Andra Stefanescu's avatar

Thank you for your thoughts here, Todd!

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