The Importance of Empathy in Communication (+ Tips)

Two men talking pleasantly in a cafe illustrate the importance of empathy in communication

What difference does empathy make in communication? How can it help you de-escalate tense moments? According to law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson, empathy is a powerful tool when you need to introduce calm into a high-stress situation. He presents empathy as a fundamental tool in the Verbal Judo toolbox. Continue reading to learn about the importance of empathy in communication and how to use it to read people.

The 3 Most Powerful High-Vibration Emotions You Can Feel

A smiling man feeling high-vibration emotions while walking down a city street

What are high-vibration emotions? What are the benefits of these emotions? David R. Hawkins states that to reach an ultimate state of peace, you must release unhelpful feelings and make room for beneficial ones. These positive emotions attract success and fulfillment with their high frequencies. Let’s examine three of the most powerful positive emotions: courage, love, and peace.

What Is Mushin? Cultivating Calm in the Middle of the Storm

A calm man with his eyes closed sits in a chair, practicing mushin in the middle of chaos

What is mushin? Is it the same as mindfulness? How can it help you remain calm and even de-escalate a high-stress situation? A core skill in Verbal Judo is cultivating a mindset called mushin (wushin in Chinese), which practitioners of many Japanese and Chinese martial arts aim to achieve. In his book Verbal Judo, George Thompson explains mushin and how you can cultivate it and use it to great advantage. Read more to learn what mushin is and how to apply it.

How to Let Go of Your Ego and Break Through to Solutions

Smiling man and woman talking, illustrating how to let go of your ego and communicate effectively with each other

Are your feelings easily hurt? Are you more focused on protecting yourself than solving bigger problems? When people come at us, it’s easy to react in ways that end up making the confrontation worse. Our ego is often to blame. Law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson says that Verbal Judo offers a way out of this mindset. Continue reading to learn how to let go of your ego and move forward in a positive direction.

What’s Causing the Nurse Shortage in the US?

An exhausted nurse in a hospital depicting the nurse shortage in the us

Why is there a nurse shortage in the US? How can hospitals and the government address it? The US nurse shortage is predicted to reach up to 5.7 million by 2030. It’s caused not by a lack of registered nurses, but by high turnover. Causes of the shortage include COVID-19-induced departures, burnout, a dearth of nursing educators, and more. Continue reading to learn about the factors causing the nursing shortage.

How to Improve Active Listening: 3 Tips From Verbal Judo

A white-haired bearded man sitting in a restaurant and listening to someone talk illustrates how to improve active listening

Do you listen more than you talk? What’s your primary goal when you communicate? What can you learn about listening from an octopus? It probably comes as no surprise that listening well is important. Active listening is a specific skill that’s invaluable in all aspects of life, and it’s part of the practice of Verbal Judo—a set of techniques that help you handle any tense situation calmly.  Read more for George Thompson’s threefold advice on how to improve active listening and communicate more effectively as a result.

The Stoic Challenge by William B. Irvine: Book Overview

A woman with long brown hair reading a book in a library.

What’s The Stoic Challenge by William B. Irvine about? How did the Stoics face adversity? Every one of us experiences hardship, often daily. In The Stoic Challenge, William B. Irvine argues that minimizing suffering isn’t just possible—it’s something that people have been doing since the Stoics pioneered a strategy to approach adversity as opportunity. Read below for a brief overview of The Stoic Challenge.

How to Analyze a Situation: 4 Tips to Navigate a Tense Moment

A thoughtful young professional woman in a cityscape knows how to analyze a situation

How can you keep your judgment from getting clouded during a high-stress situation? What must you understand before you can resolve the issue? George Thompson developed Verbal Judo to help people handle tense situations at work, home, and elsewhere. Not only do you need to understand the personalities involved, you must fully and accurately ascertain the scenario you’re dealing with. Keep reading to learn how to analyze a situation using Verbal Judo principles and techniques.