“The entire basis of verbal judo is to treat people with dignity and respect. Most of all your family and close friends. Be ever so careful how you speak to them, as words can cut deeper and fester longer than sword wounds. Change it!
I learned again in the hospital what I’ve always striven to teach and know myself. In this life, the most important relationships are with people”, said Dr. George Thompson, co-author of the book Verbal Judo. Pictured here: The 5 Universal Truths of Human Interaction.
In his book “Verbal Judo – The Gentle Art of Persuasion”, by Dr. George J. Thompson, affectionately known as “Doc Rhino” by his friends and family when he was alive, he talks a little bit about his personal experience in the hospital fighting throat cancer.
What he says about that experience is absolutely heartbreaking but describes the experience many people have while in hospital.
I should mention that he talked about all this within the context of how “all people” can benefit from the universals principles found in his book, dealing with “empathy”, which is the cornerstone of all his work by the way.
Here is exactly what he said:
“To further illustrate the need for Verbal Judo, I would like to share a personal experience. I recently underwent throat surgery for cancer. I lost my left vocal cord,and with it my ability to speak professionally, but I am now cancer free. I spent fifteen days in the hospital,frail and weak from the surgery, watched over by perhaps twenty or so nurses, doctors and students. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, and I could barely move.
The quality of the care was terribly uneven, ranging from awful to acceptable, with only one excellent. No where was there need for verbal judo training more evident.
Hardly anyone seemed to have any empathy for those of us who were hurt and scared – a little human contact or a kind word would have made such a difference. And that difference is exactly what this book has to offer.
The entire basis of verbal judo is to treat people with dignity and respect. Most of all your family and close friends. Be ever so careful how you speak to them, as words can cut deeper and fester longer than sword wounds. Change it!
I learned again in the hospital what I’ve always striven to teach and know myself. In this life, the most important relationships are with people.
Verbal judo can help you maintain those relationships and improve the quality of your life and he lives of those around you. It has saved lives, marriages and career and it can work for you too. Use it!”
Verbal Judo, the Gentle Art of Persuasion., A Decade Later, pg xiv, by George J. Thompson PH.D. and Jerry B. Jenkins.
See related article: What differentiates “Verbal Judo” from other books on communications – a perspective from a certified peer support specialist https://groundreport.com/what-differentiates-verbal-judo-from-other-books-on-communications-a-perspective-from-a-certified-peer-support-specialist/
See also: The art and science of Verbal Judo https://groundreport.com/the-art-and-science-of-verbal-judo/