The Hidden Costs of Communication Breakdowns at Work
Workplace communication often revolves around who’s right, whose solution is best, or who’s to blame when things don’t go well. In the rush to solve problems, emotions are ignored, leaving frustration, tension, and misunderstanding unaddressed. When tensions arise, people may defend their position, blame others, or withdraw—making conflict resolution and collaboration harder. As understanding breaks down, trust weakens, stress builds, and productivity suffers.
But what if there were a different way—one that focuses on understanding what truly matters to each person first, then co-creating solutions?
What truly matters are the deeper drivers behind our emotions and actions—our universal human needs. While people may have different opinions or solutions, these underlying needs are shared by all. When we shift our focus from debating strategies to understanding each other's core needs, we create common ground for meaningful dialogue, thus paving the road to collaborative problem-solving.
Universal human needs are the deep drivers of our thoughts, emotions, and actions. According to Marshall Rosenberg, psychologist and author of Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, these needs form the foundation of connection and conflict resolution. They are abstract and separate from the specific strategies or actions we use to fulfill them. This allows people to understand each other's needs without necessarily agreeing on the solutions. By recognizing these shared needs, we can find common ground, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration.
Universal human needs are vast—these are just a few examples:
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Understanding: The need for being heard, respected, and valued.
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Autonomy: The need for choice, space, and self-direction in decisions.
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Respect: The need for being treated with dignity and consideration.
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Trust: The need for security, reliability, and consistency in relationships.
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Safety: The need for stability, predictability, and security.
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Connection: The need for meaningful relationships, belonging, and trust.
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Contribution: The need to make a positive impact and contribute to something larger than oneself.
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To Matter: The need to be seen, acknowledged, and know that one’s presence and actions make a difference.
When we understand and acknowledge these needs—both our own and others’—we can address the root causes of conflict and communication issues, and ultimately create a more collaborative and productive environment.
What Are Universal Human Needs
Transitioning to High-Performing Teams through Needs-Based Communication
A Needs-based communication approach shifts the focus from debating whose solution is best to first understanding the human needs at the core of the issue. By identifying and expressing these deeper needs, individuals can foster meaningful dialogue, even in disagreement.
Rather than arguing over positions, this approach encourages teams to listen with empathy, speak with authenticity, and engage in collaborative problem-solving. When conversations center on understanding rather than persuasion, tensions ease, trust grows, and solutions gain greater support from everyone involved.
Here’s how a Needs-based approach transforms workplace communication:
Identifying Needs – Instead of jumping straight into solutions, the focus first shifts to understanding the core needs driving each person’s perspective. This exploration of needs lays the foundation for more effective and collaborative problem-solving.
Creating Empathy – Acknowledging and expressing emotions honestly helps build empathy, fostering deeper connection and understanding without requiring agreement.
Collaborating for Solutions – Once needs are understood and acknowledged, teams can co-create solutions that work for everyone, leading to mutually beneficial outcomes and reducing conflicts.
Fostering Trust and Connection – Addressing needs first, with authenticity and respect, builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and creates a more supportive and effective work environment.
By integrating this approach into workplace interactions, teams can move past energy-draining tensions and conflicts toward solutions that are both effective and sustainable.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. — Rumi”
Inspired by Rumi’s vision, TheNewSpace was born from the belief that understanding, connection, and transformation can thrive beyond judgment and defensiveness. This is a space for meaningful conversations that foster trust, clarity, and collaboration.
In TheNewSpace, communication evolves, individuals grow, and teams thrive.
About Julia Shen
Hi, I’m Julia—a Certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Trainer with The Center for Nonviolent Communication, as well as a Mediator and Coach. My work is mainly based on the principles of NVC, and I specialize in helping individuals, teams, and organizations strengthen relationships, resolve conflicts, and create workplace cultures built on trust, empathy, and collaboration.​
With a background in tech program management, I understand firsthand the complexities of workplace dynamics. Balancing team morale, performance expectations, and business objectives isn’t always easy—especially when communication breaks down. That’s why I’m passionate about equipping leaders and teams with practical, needs-based communication skills that enhance collaboration, reduce friction, and improve overall performance.
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I offer customized workshops, 1-on-1 coaching, and mediation to help organizations build stronger, more connected, and high-performing teams. Whether you aim to improve communication flow, mediate team tensions and conflicts, strengthen leadership-employee relationships, build strong customer connections, or navigate difficult decisions with empathetic communication to prevent negative outcomes, I provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.
If you're looking to enhance collaboration and communication in your workplace, let's talk. I'd love to learn about your team's unique challenges and design an approach that supports both your people and business goals.
Get in Touch
Start the conversation that transforms your workplace. Contact Julia today to design a plan customized for your team.
