Verbal Judo, Updated Edition

The Gentle Art of Persuasion

By: George J. Thompson PhD, Jerry B. Jenkins, Lee Fjelstad - foreword, Pam Thompson - foreword

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

When you react, the event controls you. When you respond, you're in control.

Verbal Judo is the classic guide to the martial art of the mind and mouth that can help you defuse confrontations and generate cooperation, whether you're talking to a boss, a spouse, or even a teenager. For more than a generation, Dr. George J. Thompson's essential handbook has taught people how to communicate more confidently and persuasively in any situation. Verbal Judo shows you how to listen and speak more effectively, engage others through empathy (the most powerful word in the English language), avoid the most common conversational disasters, and use proven strategies to successfully express your point of view - and take the lead in most disputes.

This updated edition includes a new foreword and a chapter featuring Dr. Thompson's five universal truths of human interaction:

• People feel the need to be respected
• People would rather be asked than be told
• People have a desire to know why
• People prefer to have options over threats
• People want to have second chances

Stop being frustrated and misunderstood. Stop finding yourself on the losing end of an argument. With Verbal Judo you'll be able to have your say - and say what you mean.

©2010 George J. Thompson (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

More than helpful, life changing.

I needed this book more than I thought I did when I purchased it. Very helpful, well written and easy to follow. I would say Im only listening to two chapters, then I find myself eight chapters in.

Amazing book on communication

Very detailed, organized efficiently, and expert information that everyone should read. The narrator has good intonations and matches what I imagine the speaker to sound like. Cheers!

I listen or read this at least twice a year.

I was first introduced to Verbal Judo in 2005 and have been practicing ever since. its changed my life and my relationships. It has made me more confident and people tend to come to me on how to deal with certain people and situations. I always refer them to this book. It's been hard for me to find time to read these days but I'm driving a lot more, so I was pleasantly surprised to find Verbal Judo on audible.

A must read for all

I wish I would've read this book before becoming a parent. Verbal Judo should be thought to kids in all schools, we would have a better society.

So insightful! Adding to my books to read once a year!

Just so many wonderfully easy principles that we just often overlook when dealing with confrontation. We can all be better at communication! Classic! Loved it!

This is now new management required reading!

I am re-starting my LLC business this week and I have been listening to a few audiobooks I felt may be helpful along the way. I decided that this is going to be made a mandatory requirement for all management hires as they come in. I will include an audible.com membership to managers and give this book to them to make sure that they understand their roles in my business. It is imperative to the success of one's business on how they speak AND listen to their customer base. This book will help ANYONE who listens and puts to use its theories into practice. I have been in customer service fields for over 30 years. I have seen cases like he describes in almost every place I have worked. The way he handled them later in the book was very wise. His teachings will help you get repeat business and satisfied customers.

Must Read

Regardless of you're profession I highly recommend this book. It will help you realize and understand how to communicate effectively with anyone. It sparked a confidence in me that helped embrace conflicts instead of ineffective handling every day confrontations at work.

Very helpful

This is a great listen, the stories help put each principle in an understanding perspective. Love to listen several times.

Must Read

I read the original several years ago and try to put these lessons to good use. With this update, and audio version it's more convenient than ever to brush up. I really like the last chapter, which I hadn't seen or heard before; it makes for a nice conclusion. I've had interpersonal communications classes and conflict management classes in college, and this book is a great supplement to those. There really is no substitute for actual training with good instructors.

One of the best communication books...

... I've ever read and the first I've reviewed on Audible which is a testament to my perception of this books value. I will read this book once a year and for that I will be a more effective communicator with everyone in which I encounter and happier person in reward. Also this book is applicable to all areas of my life and for that will be valuable to everyone including you.

Cheers
M. McDougald