Skip to content

City council could use a refresher course on communication

My letter concerns city council and some of the disrespectful behaviour that has been surfacing

Re: Petition calls for apology for perceived sexist comments, April 20.

My letter concerns Nanaimo city council and some of the disrespectful behaviour that has been surfacing.

I would like to suggest that all council members, together as a group, take world-renowned and greatly respected Marshall Rosenberg’s non-violent communication workshop. This would have a very positive impact on our city council and consequently all residents of the City of Nanaimo. This workshop is available locally.

Embracing this concept now and continuing it on into the future (perhaps even on an annual basis and also prior to a new slate of officials taking office) would be extremely beneficial.

Some ways non-violent communication can be of assistance: it transforms judgment and criticism into understanding and connection; breaks patterns of thinking that lead to argument, anger and depression; resolves conflicts peacefully; reduces stress in the workplace and improves productivity; and develops relationships based upon mutual respect, compassion and co-operation.

Lynn Burrows, Nanaimo