9 Quotes by George J. Thompson

Never react to what people say. React to what they mean. Just remember: People hardly ever say what they mean.

If your antagonist can upset you, he owns you at some level.

WHEN WE EMPLOY the words that most naturally come to our lips, we run the risk of giving the greatest speech we’ll ever live to regret. We wind up saying things we can never take back.

That’s how ancient samurai warriors viewed their battles. They lived for them. They were trained to see warfare as a joy and conflict, as a sign that they were drawing more energy.

Here then is the powerful sentence that will allow you to interrupt anyone without fear of bodily harm: “Let me be sure I heard what you just said.

The secret is simple: It’s okay if someone insults, resists, or attacks you. Laugh it off. Show that it has no meaning, no sting. If you fight back and resist the affront, you give it life and credibility. If you defend yourself, you invite counterattack.

Every time you interact with somebody in your family, on the street, or in your workplace, make it your goal to improve the situation or the relationship. If you try to control people, you’ll be breathing down their necks. You can’t force people to do what you want in today’s society. You have to use your words strategically. Generate voluntary compliance and cooperation by directing rather than controlling.

When you speak, you are a mouthpiece, a representative. You do not represent your own ego. Remember, the more ego you show, the less power you have over people. Egotists only create conflict. The great communicators put their egos behind them and put the purpose and goal of communication before them. Nobody likes people whose personalities intrude.

Here is the bottom line of all communication: Empathy absorbs tension. It works every time. I have seen it even save a life.