Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg

Awards


  • 2006: Bridge of Peace Nonviolence Award from the Global Village Foundation

  • 2005: Light of God Expressing in Society Award from the Association of Unity Churches

  • 2004: Religious Science International Golden Works Award

  • 2004: International Peace Prayer Day Man of Peace Award by the Healthy Happy Holy (3HO) Organization

  • 2002: Princess Anne of England and Chief of Police restorative Justice Appreciation Award

  • 2000: International Listening Association Listener of the Year Award

Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D., 1934 -2015, was the founder and director of educational services for the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC), an international peacemaking organization. He authored Speak Peace in a World of Conflict and the best seller Nonviolent Communication; A Language of Life.


Growing up in a turbulent Detroit neighborhood, Marshall developed a keen interest in new forms of communication that would provide peaceful alternatives to the violence he had encountered. His interest led to a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 1961, where he studied under Carl Rogers among several others who influenced his work.


Marshall was interested in what caused some people to be violent while others remained compassionate regardless of the situation. From this personal investigation he discovered that certain thought forms underlie violence and yet others radically different underlie compassion. From this he developed language which aided people to access compassion and called this language of the heart - Nonviolent Communication.


Marshall first used the NVC process in federally funded school integration projects during the 1960s to provide mediation and communication skills training. In 1984 he founded CNVC, and there are now more than 500 CNVC certified trainers in more than 65 countries around the globe.


Marshall traveled to some of the most violent corners of the world. He carried with him his guitar and puppets and brought a spiritual energy that filled every room. And with his humor and grace, he showed us how to create a more peaceful and satisfying world.



SOME MARSHALL QUOTES:

"More words does not lead to more connection."

"Never answer a question when there is energy behind it without your attorney present. Empathize with the question rather than answering it."

"Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly."

"Connection before correction and Empathy before education."

"It’s the hardest to empathize with those who need it the most."

"Revenge is a cry for empathy."

"When I speak my truth without acknowledging my fear, my message sounds like an attack."

"Depression is our reward for being nice dead people."

"Our needs best met in community are mourning and celebration."

"There are 3 meanings of anger:

  1. I am wanting something very much that I am not getting.

  2. I am telling myself someone ought to give it to me.

  3. I am about to behave in a way that assures me I won’t get it."