Becoming a More Conscious Leader Podcast

Embracing the living energy of human needs

Audio Clip Highlight “We’re not after the meaning of life. We’re after the rapture of the experience of being alive.”—Joseph Campbell The process of practicing Needs-Based Communication (NBC) invites us to a place where we energetically connect to aliveness, and can express from that aliveness. The process invites us to embrace whatever aliveness is within us, that flows from human needs, whether it be joy … or anguish. Whenever we are willing to embrace it, to be with it — even when it is painful —there’s an expansiveness that happens within us. We’re connecting to life, and life draws us out the other side. We are nurtured and emerge in a more refreshed, alive state. It completely eliminates the sense that there are “positive” and “negative” emotions. Becoming a More Conscious Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Becoming a More Conscious Leader at greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Embodying the Energy of Human Needs

Audio Clip Highlight The potency of Needs-Based Communication is its capacity to move us toward human connection. Initially, by using a language that is free of blame, focusing on words pointing to somatic feelings and human needs. And more deeply, by expressing from the embodied energetic fullness of the life-serving need. Becoming a More Conscious Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Becoming a More Conscious Leader at greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

What is Needs-Based Communication?

Needs-Based Communication,* aka Nonviolent Communication™ or NVC, is a potent process that can support us when we are having — or need to have — challenging conversations that matter to us ... * like giving authentic feedback to a co-worker or friend, * or listening to someone at work or at home when we disagree with what they are saying, * or how we respond when we perceive ourselves as being "attacked" in a conversation, * or expressing clearly our personal or professional boundaries when a colleague or friend has stepped beyond them, * or what we do when we feel anger rising in ourselves and we know we will likely regret the words we are about to say, * or when we've just expressed something in a conversation or meeting that really matters to us, but no one seems to have heard us, * or when we're too scared to speak up at all. Needs-Based Communication (NBC) guides us to move beyond blame. * To recognize our own reactivity. * To understand our reactivity in terms of what matters to us. * To see another person's reactivity in terms of what matters to them. In this new way of perceiving the situation, we are better able to respond consciously in a way that is likely to create mutual understanding. In that understanding, we can make choices and take actions that are more likely to support all of us in moving toward what matters to each of us. NBC enhances our human connection with others — and with ourselves Here are some of the skills and benefits of using Needs-Based Communication in the workplace ... or at home: * listening — so that the other person has an experience of being heard, even if we don't agree with what they are saying * empathy — the basis of care and compassion — recognizing the weird ways that we unconsciously ask for empathy * expressing disagreement without blame — an integral skill of conscious feedback and mutual accountability * recognizing our own unconscious reactions and limiting beliefs — these are what diminish our relationships and effectiveness, especially as leaders * seeing conflict as something to be harvested, not avoided — learning to "lean into" conflict instead of away from it, learning to hear the underlying essence of what matters to the people involved NBC invites us to expand our perception, so that we see ways to bring connection amidst conflict. At the core of this expanded perception is the skill to focus our attention on the underlying human needs that are seeking to be nurtured in any moment, both within ourselves and within the people around us. In every moment, we are each trying to fulfill our own human needs. These underlying human needs are the motivation for our actions and our words ... the "why" behind what we do or say. Because we all share the same human needs, when we bring them into explicit focus, they tend to stimulate understanding and draw us closer in connection. The potency of NBC is in its pragmatic simplicity. There are FOUR PARTS of Needs-Based Communication: * Observations, free of evaluation * Feelings, free of thoughts * Human Needs, free of strategies * Requests, free of demands And there are FOUR CORE SKILL SETS of Needs-Based Communication: * Enhanced awareness of our own reactivity … and choosing to pause * Connecting to our own feelings and human needs * Authentically expressing our own feelings and needs * Empathically listening to the feelings and needs of others The first two of these skill sets focus on our own internal self-connection. These are the core skills that enable us to show up differently, and are a required first step before we are ready to create the connection we desire with others. The last two of these skills sets focus on how we interact with others. In any moment, including a moment of conflict, there are two ways to enhance connection & understanding with another person: * authentically express our own feelings & needs, or * empathically listen to the feelings & needs of the other. These are radically different choices than we are accustomed to experience when we are in conflict or in a reactive state: namely, the unconscious reactions of “fight, freeze or flee.” An example of an authentic expression might look like this: “When I see you look down at your phone and begin typing in the midst of our conversation, I feel surprised and disappointed because I value mutual consideration. Would you be willing to connect with me before you begin a message on your phone?” Or like this: “When I remember you saying ‘don’t be stupid,’ I feel upset because I want understanding. Would you be willing to share how you feel hearing what I’m saying?” Note the structure of observation, feeling, need and request. An example of an empathic listening guess might sound like this: “Are you angry because you value mutual respect?” Or this: “Are you disappointed because including everyone in the conversation matters?” Note the structure of guessing a feeling and a need that the person might be experiencing. As a final distinction about what Needs-Based Communication is, I want to be clear what it is not ... * NBC is not about being nice; it's about being real. The human connection it creates is both gentle and fierce. * NBC is not about stifling intensity, but transforming it. * NBC is not about changing other people or getting them to do what we want. It's about changing ourselves, so that we inspire the quality of communication and relationship that we want. * NBC is not a technique or formula. It's a process that helps guide our consciousness to a new awareness around human needs. The challenge of NBC is to overcome our cultural conditioning. While simple in concept, Needs-Based Communication is often challenging to embody because we are so deeply conditioned to perceive each other through judgments and blame. The concepts themselves can be learned in a one- or two-hour workshop session [https://www.greggkendrick.com/event-details/event-104-how-am-i-showing-up-as-a-leader-an-introduction-to-needs-based-communication-2025-04-24-13-00], or by reading a book, such as "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189200528X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=basileiallc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=189200528X&linkId=e00686901ea4dfdff6f0daa5e4dd59fa], [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189200528X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=basileiallc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=189200528X&linkId=e00686901ea4dfdff6f0daa5e4dd59fa]" by Marshall B. Rosenberg. But the true potency of Needs-Based Communication is in its power to not only transform our language, but to transform our perception of and energetic connection to the human beings around us and the human being within us. This level of embodiment of NBC is a mindfulness practice — not unlike practicing yoga or a martial art like Aikido — that requires consistent practice over time to develop the fullness of the skills, awareness and consciousness implicit within it. We designed the Conscious Leader Program [https://substack.com/@greggkendrick/p-156964576] to be a structure and a community to support people who want to deepen their embodiment of the Needs-Based Communication process, especially in the context of leading groups or teams (or families or classrooms, etc.). The first course [https://www.greggkendrick.com/five-courses/course-1] within the Program focuses on the foundations of NBC. Typically, participants “spiral” through the course multiple times, each time practicing and applying the skills at ever deeper levels of awareness and embodiment. Learning the foundations of NBC involves: * Owning our own reactivity by being aware of it, choosing to pause, and transcending the underlying reactive thinking that is the source of it. * Owning our own feelings and needs by being aware of the many ways that our language makes it easy to unconsciously interject blame and judgments into our conversations — and transforming what we say to stimulate human connection through an authentic expression of our own feelings and needs. * Owning our own choices by being aware of language that denies our own autonomy — and transforming what we say to honor our autonomy and ignite our self-empowerment. * Supporting other people to own their own reactivity, feelings, needs and choices through the extraordinary and rare skill of empathic listening. * Expanding our somatic awareness and our vocabulary of body sensations, feelings and human needs — learning to engage and trust our “right-brain.” As you gain competence in these foundations, the goal is to have ease and confidence in creating strong human connection in most of the conversations and situations that you encounter. * Needs-Based Communication (NBC) is based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg, which he called "Nonviolent Communication™" or NVC. I have chosen to call the process Needs-Based Communication (NBC) for two reasons: * First, human needs are the heart of the process. * Secondly, I have wanted to avoid the common initial reaction from people in organizations that "... we're not a violent place." Within this publication and in related references, any of these names or acronyms may be used, and they all refer to the same process. Gregg Kendrick has been a Certified CNVC Nonviolent Communication™ Trainer since January 2006. Becoming a More Conscious Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Becoming a More Conscious Leader at greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Reactive Emotions are a "red-light" signal

Common wisdom often suggests “don’t make a decision from your emotions.” But it is a disservice to emotions to lump them all together and to say a blanket statement like that. Certain emotions — namely anger, guilt and shame — indicate that we are in a reactive state. They serve as a “red-light” warning that if we speak or act from this reactive state, we are likely to stimulate fear and diminish the relationships around us, including the connection with ourselves. “When you make a decision out of anger, guilt or shame, rarely will you meet the needs of anyone — not your needs, not the needs of the people around you, not the needs of the organization.” The Needs-Based Communication [https://www.greggkendrick.com/post/what-is-needs-based-communication] process invites us to be conscious of our reaction, and to process it and to express it with its full potency, but in a connected way (from our underlying human needs) rather than a disruptive way (from our reactive thinking). When we connect to the quality of being alive within the energy of human needs (e.g. being seen, being heard, etc.), we connect to something bigger: the life-force that holds and connects us all. Thanks for reading Becoming a More Conscious Leader! This post is public so feel free to share it. Becoming a More Conscious Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Becoming a More Conscious Leader at greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Program to Nurture the "Conscious Leader" in All of Us

updated Tue Feb 24, 2026 A New Spiral of Learning is about to begin … Are you ready to take action to become a more conscious leader? Spring 2026 Cohort of the Conscious Leader Program [https://www.greggkendrick.com/post/a-new-evolution-of-the-conscious-leader-program] | Mar 11 - Jun 10 The next 13-week spiral in the journey to deepen skills & mindsets of conscious leadership within a mutually supportive learning community ... begins Mar 11! It meets weekly on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:20pm EDT (6:00pm to 7:20pm BST; 10am to 11:20 PDT). Enroll by Wed Mar 4th! How you show up in your day-to-day conversations and interactions matters. It has impact on the way other people show up around us. Whenever we use language that has even a nuance of blame or guilt in it, then we instill fear, reaction and resistance in the people around us. And yet, the common language that each of us uses every day is typically filled with judgments and blame, whether we intend it or not. We are all called to lead When I use the word “leader” in the title of this article, I mean it in the broadest sense. We are all called to lead in different ways, in different aspects of our lives … as parents, as coaches, as teachers, as head of a committee or a social group. Of course, we also choose to accept more clearly designated leadership roles within workplaces or government: project leader, team leader, supervisor, manager, director, Executive Director, CEO, or board member. And — what may be the hardest leadership role of all — each of us is called to be the leader of our own beings. Taking responsibility for how we show up. The default cultural model of leadership is “Domination” leadership For hundreds of generations including our own, we have been conditioned to a “domination” mindset of leadership that puts the needs of one human being above another. Whomever the person in power — the king, the boss, the teacher, the parent, the priest, the government official — their choices and their will are imposed on those they lead. Over the millennia this domination mindset has been built into our language, our thinking, our culture, our families, our institutions, our laws, our policies — perpetuating the mindset so that it becomes pervasive, invisible and subconscious. We say “that’s just the way the world is” … “that’s just what a leader is.” “Conscious” leadership sees another way. A way based on trust and care, rather than blame, guilt and fear. In the political and business landscape we live in today, I believe there has never been a more critical moment to demonstrate that there is a different way to lead [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/p/leadership-that-honors-the-dignity]. A way that values the dignity of people while also valuing fulfillment of purpose and sustainability. A way that refuses to coerce or manipulate or harm to get what we want, and instead inspires by connecting to what matters. A way where people expand and come alive into their highest potential rather than contract in fear. My yearning is to build a nurturing community of conscious leader practitioners to enliven this journey for all of us. A place that stimulates each of us toward new self-awareness and pragmatic skills that have real impact on how we each show up as a leader. A place where each of us can interact with others who share our quest and develop mutually supportive relationships. A place that becomes a living example of the consciousness and culture we each want to create within our own team or group. The core of this nurturing community we are building is the Conscious Leader Program [https://www.greggkendrick.com/conscious-leader-program]. In 2024, we created a new evolution of the Conscious Leader Program that harvests the wisdom and learnings from our experiences over the last three decades, both in content and in structure. Here are a few highlights: * An expanded intended audience to include the broadest sense of “being a leader.” Though originally designed for leaders within workplace settings, it is equally applicable to leaders in other social settings as well: in the family (parents, partners), in schools (teachers, coaches), in community groups, etc. * Publicly available to individual leaders. Formerly available in its full form only privately within workplace organizations, it is now available as a public offering so any individual leader can enroll and participate. * Fueled by the potency of human needs as a catalyst for transformation. Needs-Based Communication [https://www.greggkendrick.com/post/what-is-needs-based-communication]* (aka Nonviolent Communication™ or NVC) continues to be at the heart of every aspect of the Program. * Organized in 3-month (13-week) “terms.” Each Course [https://www.greggkendrick.com/courses] or Spiral within the Program lasts 13 weeks. You can choose to take only one course/spiral, or several. You can choose to continue in a consecutive term, or pause until you are ready to continue. * Active engagement in a Conscious Learning Community. A "cohort" is a community of people who meet weekly at the same time and day of each week. Each cohort includes members with different levels of skills and experience. The community itself becomes an environment of trust and mutual support that invites authenticity and vulnerability which accelerates your development. * Weekly 80-min group facilitator-led sessions. Interact weekly in-person (via zoom) with your specific learning community of peers and experienced practitioners. Plan to spend another 80-90 minutes each week in prep or practice activities. * An online portal provides access to discussion groups, learning materials, recordings of live in-person sessions, and a step-by-step process of activities for each session of the Course. * Bonus Benefits * Monthly facilitator-led Group Coaching calls on zoom. * Complimentary 3-month paid subscription to this publication and community on Substack: Becoming a More Conscious Leader [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/] * Program pricing [https://www.greggkendrick.com/plans-pricing] is structured as a monthly subscription with monthly fees between $150 (Four-Term Plan) and $180 (One-Term Plan). * Special Discount for new participants in the CLP program: For new participants in the CLP program, we are offering a 17% DISCOUNT on Course 1 within the Program’s One-Term Plan. That reduces the monthly fee from $180/mo to $150/mo for the 3-month term of the course. * Use this Coupon Code to receive the discount when enrolling: COURSE1WELCOME * NEW! A scholarship may be available for the Spring 2026 Cohort [https://www.greggkendrick.com/post/scholarships-available-for-clp-participants]. The funding, provided by the Weingarten Fund, will provide a partial scholarship for participants in the CLP who are in need of funding in order to participate. * Note: I don't want the cost of the program to be a barrier to participating in it. If it is a good fit for your needs, I am open to exploring creative options to make the finances work. A New Spiral of Learning is about to begin … Are you ready to take action to become a more conscious leader? Spring 2026 Cohort of the Conscious Leader Program [https://www.greggkendrick.com/post/a-new-evolution-of-the-conscious-leader-program] | Mar 11 - Jun 10 The next 13-week spiral in the journey to deepen skills & mindsets of conscious leadership within a mutually supportive learning community ... begins Mar 11! It meets weekly on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:20pm EDT (6:00pm to 7:20pm BST; 10am to 11:20 PDT). Enroll by Wed Mar 4th! I invite you to enroll. Have a look at the details of the Conscious Leader Program to see if it is a good fit for you. We would love to have you as an active participant in our Conscious Leader community. And if you know someone who might be a good fit for the Program, I encourage you to share this post with them. Have questions or want to talk in person about the Program? I invite you to attend a monthly live in-person information session focused on the "Conscious Leader Program: Q&A with Gregg.” * Thu Feb 26 [https://www.greggkendrick.com/event-details/conscious-leader-program-q-a-with-gregg-2026-02-26-13-00] | 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM EST * Thu Apr 30 [https://www.greggkendrick.com/event-details/conscious-leader-program-q-a-with-gregg-2026-04-30-13-00] | 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM EDT * Thu May 28 [https://www.greggkendrick.com/event-details/conscious-leader-program-q-a-with-gregg-2026-05-28-13-00] | 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM EDT Or contact me directly … Future Cohorts Dates … * Spring 2026 Cohort | Mar 11 - Jun 10 * Summer 2026 Cohort | Jun 10 - Sep 9 * Fall 2026 Cohort | Sep 9 - Dec 16 * Winter 2027 Cohort | Jan 6 - Mar 31 * Needs-Based Communication (NBC) is based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg, which he called "Nonviolent Communication™" or NVC. I have chosen to call the process Needs-Based Communication (NBC) for two reasons: * First, human needs are the heart of the process. * Secondly, I have wanted to avoid the common initial reaction from people in business that "... we're not a violent place." Within this post and in related communications, any of these names or acronyms may be used, and they all refer to the same process. Gregg Kendrick has been a Certified CNVC Nonviolent Communication™ Trainer since January 2006. Becoming a More Conscious Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Becoming a More Conscious Leader at greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe [https://greggkendrick.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]