Presenting Non-Violent Communication Model Using Diagrams and PowerPoint

If you need to teach or explain what is the Non-violent Communication model about, support your presentation with visual aids such as a diagram. In the following article, we’d like to show you several examples of how you can present this NVC communication framework using diagram infographics and PowerPoint slides.

Get all the graphics presented here – click on the slide pictures to see and download the source illustration. Check the full NVC Model PowerPoint deck.

Present what NVC is – its Origin and Definition

To explain what is Non-Violent Communication model you could just write down its definition:

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a way of communicating that focuses on understanding, empathy, and honesty. 

But it will look more professional and attractive to visualize it in this way, extracting from plain text the keywords and relations that you can show by drawing a simple diagram, for example:

The slide will look more professional and attractive to visualize it in this way, extracting from plain text the keywords and relations that you can show by drawing a simple diagram, for example:

•  placing the elements of the communication process focusing on Non-Violent Communication (blame and criticism, shifting communication, empathy, and collaboration) in a horizontal flow to emphasize their sequence,
• illustrate feelings and connection with an icon to highlight their relationship,
•  using background with icons to represent a concept and make the slide fuller.

Present the Four Stages of Non-Violent Communication Model by Diagram

Showing visually 4 stages of the Non-Violent Communication as separate shapes can make the model look more attractive. You can break down the NVC components  (Observations, Feelings, Needs, and Requests) and map them into a circular flow by arrows to reflect the continuous nature of the communication process. 

Consider animating stages to present them step by step as a natural flow. We also recommend making a slide colorful – you can use a specific color for each all throughout the presentation. 

See how you can use the color coding on this slide to show clearly parts of the message, what is an Observation, what is the Feeling part, what represents the Need, and where you make the Request. 

How to choose colors? Make them diverse enough and try to match the commonly recognized meaning of colors e.g., we choose red for Feelings as this color of love. And Request has an orange color, as this is the color of impact.

This visual separation helps the audience easily follow the communication flow, making abstract concepts more tangible. It also supports memory retention.

Compare the Giraffe and Jackal Communication Models

If you want to compare known communication models of the jackal versus giraffe, you can also use the color matching the NVC model from above.

The idea of these models is to illustrate two contrasting styles of communication. The Jackal represents reactive, judgmental, or aggressive language. The Giraffe symbolizes empathetic, open, and compassionate communication, helping people become more aware of how they express themselves and connect with others.

See how you can create a slide comparing the 4 areas of the NVC model.

We use a clear side-by-side comparison layout to visually explain the difference between the Giraffe and Jackal communication models within Nonviolent Communication. 

The Giraffe model is on the left in soft, warm tones (greens, reds, blues, and yellows), while the Jackal model appears on the right using muted grey shades. This clear separation helps emphasize the contrast between empathetic and judgmental communication. Each concept (Observations, Feelings, Needs, Requests) is represented by a distinctive icon, which improves comprehension and supports visual memory.

This is a great example of transforming complex behavioral theories into a clear and engaging visual narrative. It balances informative content with intuitive design.

Express what is Visible and Hidden NVC Components by the Iceberg Illustration

To present what elements of the non-violent communication model are visible on the surface and what elements are not, invisible on a first look, use the iceberg vidual metaphor. 

• What’s visible: External expressions such as behaviour, words, actions
• What’s hidden: Feelings, Thoughts, Beliefs, Perception, Needs

See the example presentation slide below.

In this case, the background color of the callout contrasts with the rest of the slide for emphasis without overwhelming the design. Cool blue tones differentiate water levels and provide a calm, professional look. The iceberg is the central visual element, effectively representing the elements groups. Simple, clean fonts ensure clarity and readability.

Showing an Example of Corporate Business Communication with NVC

Here’s an example with NVC case study in corporate business communication. This case shows how NVC can reduce conflict and enhance communication culture in the workplace.

Visually, the slide uses a flowchart layout to represent the four NVC stages (Observation, Feeling, Need, Request) in a clear, logical sequence. 

See how we suggested a layout of this slide. Firstly there are assumptions on the left part. They are not the most important part but they set the context. And then we designed the main element – circle diagram representing NVC stages. This diagram is the most colorful so it attracts the main attention of the audience. You can add animation, revealing a specific NVC stage after mouse click with an example of the statements. 

Notice that each stage is placed inside a color-coded shape, helping to distinguish the components at a glance. The directional arrows guide the viewer through the communication process, reinforcing the idea of flow and progression. It nicely integrates message examples with 4-stage diagrams, adding background information and a problem statement.

Using a Visual Canvas to Present NVC Case Studies

Below we share two examples of another slide layout that can be used as a universal canvas, a template to put your examples inside. 

These NVC canvas templates are more suitable if you have longer text messages to present. 

Because of the small text size, this fits rather in online presentation setups where readers watch slides on a screen display or in a small room. For big room and conference presentations, you would need to use much bigger text. 

The texts are placed in light grey-background shapes with bold, color-coded headings, which helps to visually separate each part of the model while maintaining a clean and structured look. The grey background provides gentle contrast. It also adds a layer of consistency across the slide.

 This layout is especially effective for content-heavy slides where maintaining readability and engagement is critical. 

Eventually you can show there also visualization of 4 steps with stronger colors.

In this example, we suggest vivid, distinct colors for each step. It helps to anchor them in the memory and makes it easier to follow. This can be especially helpful for audiences new to the concept, as the colors act as visual cues that differentiate each stage clearly.

Adding icons or simple illustrations alongside each step can further enrich the visual language, making the content more engaging and easier to digest at a glance.

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Ideas Where You Can Use Diagrams Representing NVC Idea

Where can you use NVC diagrams in your presentations?

You can use diagram visualization in several more cases when talking about Non-Violent communication model:

• Explain the essence of the NVC model and break down the four-step NVC process
• show real-life communication case studies of using NVC structure in business communication, 
• Present conflict resolution strategies using NVC
• Visualize emotional triggers and needs using the NVC flow

Designer Tips for an Effective Market Insights Presentation

Good design supports effective communication and creates an overall impression of a company’s brand. That’s why we suggest applying these slide design tips when preparing a presentation for your  meetings:

• Assign a unique, vivid color to each step or concept to guide the viewer’s eye and support understanding of the structure.
• Balance visuals with text for clarity to support comprehension without overwhelming the viewer with information.
• Use clear visual metaphors – illustrated elements add a human element to your presentation.
• Create a flowchart diagrams to express the essence of NVC framework. Even using simple diagrams made of standard rectangles  and arrows will do better than a text-only bullet points  – place your items in subtle background shapes with bold, color-coded titles to separate sections clearly while keeping the layout clean.

Ideas Where You Can Use Diagrams Representing NVC Idea

Where can you use NVC diagrams in your presentations?

You can use diagram visualization in several more cases when talking about Non-Violent communication model:

• Explain the essence of the NVC model and break down the four-step NVC process
• show real-life communication case studies of using NVC structure in business communication, 
• Present conflict resolution strategies using NVC
• Visualize emotional triggers and needs using the NVC flow

Designer Tips for an Effective Market Insights Presentation

Good design supports effective communication and creates an overall impression of a company’s brand. That’s why we suggest applying these slide design tips when preparing a presentation for your  meetings:

• Assign a unique, vivid color to each step or concept to guide the viewer’s eye and support understanding of the structure.
• Balance visuals with text for clarity to support comprehension without overwhelming the viewer with information.
• Use clear visual metaphors – illustrated elements add a human element to your presentation.
• Create a flowchart diagrams to express the essence of NVC framework – even using simple diagrams made of standard rectangles  and arrows will do better than a text-only bullet points  – place your items in subtle background shapes with bold, color-coded titles to separate sections clearly while keeping the layout clean.

Resources: NVC Model  Presentations

The slide examples above are part of our PowerPoint slide library. The full presentation is available in the infoDiagram collection of PPT graphics:

Read other related posts featuring examples of presenting soft-skills and communication topics:

• Showing Communication in a Presentation [concept visualization]
• How to Express Emotions and Feelings Using PowerPoint
• 6 Professional Templates for Learning and Education Presentations
• Feedback Training Presentation Hints and Visuals
• How to Illustrate HR Topics: Needs and Values in Business

Watch the presentation video with slide design ideas: