[Glench]

> This seems like something that might work if all involved were using it.

Read the book! There's a story of someone using it successfully while someone is literally physically attacking them (and it stops the attack).

> I'd be curious to hear from people who have used NVC techniques with the uninitiated. Are there situations in which it is more likely to work well? Are there tenets from NVC that work universally, regardless of the disposition of the people involved?

Compassionate listening and communicating your needs clearly are skills that are useful in all situations. NVC is just one nice framework for that.