Verbal Judo: Redirecting Behavior with Words

by George J. Thompson, W. Lee Fjelstad (Foreword)

This is the second book written by George J. (Rhino) Thompson, PhD on the subject of Verbal Judo. Redirecting Behavior with Words explores the need for an approach to conflict and verbal abuse. By uniting the persuasive power found in the rhetorical persuasion of Aristotle and the physical re-directive power of Jigoro Kano's physical judo, this book expounds the principles of the Verbal Judo training program, now recognized around the world as an effective and pragmatic approach to conflict resolution. By using life examples from people in conflict, Thompson and his friend discuss the philosophy of conflict and the birth of Verbal Judo during a car road trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Las Vegas, Nevada. Each stop and each situation explores a problem and a solution using words to gain voluntary compliance from angry or emotionally frustrated people. Using a dialogue format and designed as a "Habit of Mind" philosophy for thinking creatively about conflict, Verbal Judo is the next step in resolving the issues that plague all of us when dealing with others in disagreement. From missed expectations to redirecting harsh words, this book was the ground floor for a program that has had over one million participants attending lectures since 1984.

Genres: Psychology, Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Communication, Business

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2012

About the author

Dr. Thompson ("Doc Rhino") is the Founder of the Verbal Judo Institute. Since 1983 and until he died in 2011, he personally trained more than 700,000 individuals in Tactical Communications -- a program he developed in 1983 for defusing conflict and redirecting behavior with words.

Doc had a B.A. from Colgate University (1963), a Masters and Doctorate in English from the University of Connecticut (1972), and completed post-doctoral work at Princeton University in Rhetoric & Persuasion (1979). He has written and published four books on Tactical Communictions.

Widely published in magazines and periodicals, his training has been highlighted in such national media outlets as NBC, ABC, & CBS News, CNN, 48 Hours, Inside Edition, LETN, In the Line of Duty, and Fox news, as well as in the LA Times, NY Post, Sacramento Bee, and other publications.

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Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Thompson's sales pitch and how this aged, it's still a good book with practical insights for those who believe they are in a position of authority or who have an ego. Too many customer service books, I feel, start with the conclusion that the CSR is beholden to the customer which can be darn annoying for someone who has a temper such as myself.

I find that the strength of Thompson's pitch comes from the reminder of RE-spect and how there is power in being calm. My big head appreciated that small switch in thinking and deployed some of these ideas in angst filled situations in my professional and home life.

Beyond that, in a post Tamir Rice world, I wished more and more people- especially officers - would remember how to evaluate situations, how to stay calm, and how to use the gentle art of persuasion to help people go about their life safely. Too many times we forget about the dignity of a person while we are jacked up on adrenaline, righteousness, and the idea that might makes right. And in a world where having an opinion on the internet is high and mighty I think we all could do with a reminder of how to entreat others with dignity and respect.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Verbal Judo: Redirecting Behavior with Words by George J. Thompson is a book supporting what he calls tactical communication. A former high school and college English instructor, and part and full-time police officer, Thompson combined "his knowledge of Aristotle and the advantages of rhetorical thinking plus his black belts in Judo and Tae Kwon Do" in creating Verbal Judo.

First, this is not my typical read and would categorize it the same grouping as all those books instructing in how to exceed in sales and make customers want to buy more than they need. Verbal Judo does the same thing without being overtly about sales, but in fact it is the same thing. It is a method of getting people to think the way you want them to think and allowing them to think it is all their doing.

The actual writing style reminded me of a poorly scripted Saturday morning cartoon. The conversations seemed forced and always "just so" to fit the situation. Of course, when the situation gets tough Verbal Judo comes to the rescue and there is that happy moment of revelation at the end of each example.

If you are interested in the concept skip to the back of the book where the maxims are located. These end up being the morals of each of the example stories in the book:

Motivate others by raising their expectations of themselves.
Persuade others with their energy, not your own.
Give way in order to control.

Perhaps it is part of my military training or that my normal activities do not require me to interact and sell to customers that influence some of my negative thinking on this topic. It is common practice in today's world to oversell, and in politics to make one vote against their own interests. This little book, clumsily, attempts to explain how to do just that.

[LadyKnowledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but minimal, content.

The approaches in the book are interesting but unless you have a lot of additional knowledge and solid inference skills, you’ll struggle to extract and apply the techniques appropriately.

The book is structured as a conversation during a very long road trip. Might be engaging for some but not for me. I would have preferred more examples for each maxim / language type.

[Mars G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My father, as a law enforcement officer, gave me his copy of Verbal Judo upon entering college in a like-field. In the day and age of law enforcement escalating situations, de-escalation is definitely needed. If they don't give copies of these to trainees now, then they should.

Besides law enforcement, tips on how to communicate with folks is always great. I'd recommend it.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Helpful

Being n law enforcement I have dealt with these same issues. I can tell you I did not handle them as well as Doc. I hope to put these ideals to work from me and those I deal with in the near future.

[Allie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this book for work, it was a quick read so that’s good. The book is structured as a conversation between 2 guys on a road trip telling stories about a variety of encounters. I do think the book was beneficial to read and I can apply it to my job.

[Lianna Hawi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The writing style was very casual. I felt the author spent too much time stating what we were going to learn instead of diving in. Nonetheless, I learned a good deal and it provoked a good discussion with friends. Would recommend.

[Dana Sinan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the storytelling approach🤞

[zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As corny as it sounds, this book really helped me develop.

[Rebecka · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are times when nothing you say can change a person’s behavior. Unrealistic lousy book.

[Marianne Sarkis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like i was reading My Dinner With Andre. Sheesh. Could not get through it.

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't offer anything that I haven't read before.
There was no actual content until Chapter 5

[Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got through the first two chapters and had to stop. Though the content might have been helpful, the offhanded way it was delivered and the too fake narration was a big put off. When a book feels like that much of a chore to read are you really taking full advantage of the lessons in the content? I think not. Thanks, I'll pass and learn my manipulative language elsewhere.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the principals and the examples. Thompson's ideas for dealing with people in a productive and humane way, even when the other person is not being kind or productive was clear and well thought out.

The only reason I do not give the book 5 stars is because I found the narrative and dialogue that served as a frame for the book to be unnecessarily long and wordy.

[Brittni Willie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the tactics and thought process and understand how beneficial it can be, didn't like how the book was written like a conversation. Overall very useful education.

[Jessica Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting read, spoke a lot about conflict resolution. Author suggests most situations and or incidents can be handled calmly by intentionally trying to relate to the aggressor.