If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
I had thought that there was a link in someone Rosenberg worked with developing it but now I can't find anything. The elimination of the "to-be" verb forms does not seem explicit in NVC methodology. I think you are correct and they are independent.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.