Verbal Judo is the martial art of the mind and mouth that can show you how to be better prepared in every verbal encounter. This classic guide to essential communication skills teaches you to listen and speak more effectively, engage people through empathy (the most powerful word in the English language), avoid the most common conversational disasters, and use proven de-escalation strategies that allow you to successfully communicate your point of view and take the upper hand in most disputes.

This powerful book on the art of persuasion offers a creative look at conflict resolution that will help you defuse confrontations and generate cooperation from your spouse, your boss, and even your teenager. As the author says, "when you react, the event controls you. When you respond, you're in control."

This new edition features a fresh new cover and a foreword demonstrating the legacy of Verbal Judo founder and author George Thompson, as well as a never-before-published final chapter presenting Thompson's "Five Universal Truths" of human interaction.

Inside this essential guide, you'll discover field-tested tactics for navigating any social situation:

• Dealing with Difficult People: Learn proven strategies to handle confrontations with your spouse, your boss, your teenager, or anyone, and generate willing cooperation.
• The Power of Empathy: Master the use of empathy-the single most powerful word in the English language-to absorb tension and build immediate rapport.
• Respond, Don't React: Understand the crucial difference between reacting and responding, a mindset shift that puts you in control of any verbal encounter.
• The Five Universal Truths: Explore the never-before-published final chapter that reveals Dr. Thompson's core principles of human interaction.

"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":

1. People feel the need to be respected
2. People would rather be asked than be told
3. People have a desire to know why
4. People prefer to have options over threats
5. People want to have a second chance

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.