Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion

How often do you find yourself misunderstood, frustrated, and on the losing end of an argument? Sometimes? Most of the time? All the time? If a large percentage of your success in life depends on your success in conversation, wouldn't you like "never" to be your answer?

Do you have a plan ready when you find yourself confronting an adversary at work? At home? On a dark street at night? Or do you just react from habit or emotion? As Dr. George Thompson says, "When you react, the event controls you. When you respond, you're in control."

Whether at home or in the office boardroom, Verbal Judo can show you how to be better prepared in every verbal encounter. Thompson will teach you how to listen and speak more effectively; how to engage people through empathy (the most powerful word in the English language); how to avoid the most common conversational disasters; and how to have a proven, easily remembered strategy that will allow you successfully to communicate your point of view and take the upper hand in most disputes.

I've recently read a number of "communication" books because I've been feeling that I could do better in this area. This is the book I'm passing on to my teenage sons. Dr. Thompson's many examples, coming from all angles of life, are the treasure. I don't expect to encounter the heavy situations he handled in his police work, but he's correct: if his methods of staying in control work there, they'll work anywhere. My one and only caveat is that in order to understand and apply Dr. Thompson's methods, one must possess a certain amount of emotional maturity to begin with. Reading this book will not turn a social moron into a diplomat, at least not until he's worked on his personal issues. But for those of us who interact well most of the time, and occasionally have situations blow up in our faces without understanding why, this is a perfect book.


A "Must Read" for anyone who deals with "difficult people."   July 3, 2000
Thom Lolley
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I read most of "Doc Rhino's" book at the airport and on the plane while returning from being trained as a Verbal Judo instructor. This is absolutely the best work on handling "difficult people." Whether it's an irate customer, a moody adolescent, or an arrestee with a nasty attitude, Dr. Thompson's teaching gives you the tools and knowledge to win every time, and look and sound good doing it.


Correction Sgt. Review   December 18, 2005
T. Short
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I am a Sgt. with A State Corrections Agency and have used the technique(before I even finished the book) in the steps so clearly stated: 1)Act,2)Set it in Context,3)Present Options,4)Confirm,5)Act(last resort force). Staff even were suprised how I diffused a few intense situations. You do have to work at it and I would suggest making a list of situations or conversations you have been in, then follow the book. Eventually I think it will become second nature. I attended a 2 hour free seminar, posed a question and received a 100% clear answer to the situation. After the session the book was much clearer. I have since read the book and ordering copies for some of my staff. A must read for any law enforcement. The way the information is organized in the book I rate about a 4, but content (The 5 steps) gets a 5. Overall rating is closest to a 5. You must apply the information. The book is one of my top 10 keepers.


Good stuff for difficult people.   September 13, 1999
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

I have had the good fortune to go through the Verbal Judo training that Dr. Thompson provides for police officers. I also have the good fortune to work with a lot of very good people who are, or who are aspiring to become, teachers. Dr. Thompson's use of clear and specific language combined with his breadth of experience have resulted in a book that I recommend most highly to teachers, school administrators and anyone who would like to improve their ability to deal with people more effectively. I can certainly see why the wimps that Dr. Thompson describes wouldn't like what he has to say!

Ron Pendleton, Ph.D., Professor of Education & Reserve Deputy Sheriff