Title- Verbal Judo The Gentle Art of Persuasion
Author– George J. Thompson & Jerry B. Jenkins
Type– Nonfiction / Communication
ISBN-978-0062107701
Description– Developed originally as a series of verbal training tools to allow police and law enforcement to deescalate situations through verbal communication techniques. The simplified psychological and communication techniques presented within the book are easily applied to any situation or profession.
Importance/Utility– It’s not just what you say but how you say it, being able to communicate with others, especially those who may be hostile or confrontational in a fashion that makes them less hostile and more receptive to cooperation is an essential tool in work, life, and society.
Rating– 7/10 Though the ideas are easy to understand and apply to a myriad of professions and situations the book suffers from the majority of examples being based upon law enforcement situations which some readers may have a difficult time applying to situations in their own lives.
Recommended Format– This book would be fine in digital or audio format since it doesn’t contain any visuals or diagrams. As is common the paperback is much cheaper than the digital format, so from a purely cost related point of view paperback is probably the way to go.
2 replies on “The Book Report (2) -Verbal Judo”
I’ve read this book and would recommend it as a good resource on deescalation and conflict reduction. The only real problem with applying Verbal Judo is that it is most useful precisely when you least want to use it. You know, when your little monkey mind is screaming at you to fling poo.
Interesting, I didn’t know there was a book about this kind of thing. I might have to check it out.
I’m very familiar with the concept. My Dad taught me that (direct quote from ol’ Dad) “It is possible to call a man an asshole in such a manner that he not only likes it, but will thank you and think it was his idea.”
There have been more than a few times in my life that I put that particular skill to good use. (Just in case some people who have had conversations with me here in the past are now starting to wonder … No, I have never used that tactic on this site.) If you want an example, ask and I’ll tell you a little story …
I learned my lesson from my Father but don’t generally bother to make the effort now in my elder days. I never was quite so subtle as he was but anymore I just don’t give a flyin’ rat’s distal alimentary orifice what people think.
That said, I can still peel paint off a barn door by cursing without ever using an actual swear word. That skill made me quite popular in the Marine Corps. Some Marines even called it “A thing of true beauty”. Other than the above sort of example I generally avoid using that skill in polite company, I have actually made people gag and throw up using it. That example I won’t relate for obvious reasons.
So, yeah … Verbal Judo — I get it. It’s a real thing.