Whether at home or at work, in intimate conversations or public interactions, most of us rely on a set of defensive verbal maneuvers we learned early to protect ourselves from insult, injury or judgment. Having been wounded by words, we often decide that to be open is to be vulnerable and weak. So we close down and build walls.

In Taking the War Out of Our Words, Sharon Ellison offers a new paradigm. Utilizing a remarkable blend of honesty and vulnerability, the techniques presented in this book increase the odds of being met with an open response and gaining cooperation, resolution and healing.

About the Author

Sharon Ellison is an internationally recognized consultant, whose clients include Hewlett-Packard, Nordstrom, Silicon Graphics, Xerox Corporation, State Farm Insurance, the United States Department of Justice, The Smithsonian Institute, the University of California, Berkeley, Centre for Dispute Resolution, London, and numerous health care, social service, educational and community organizations. She was a nominee for the "Leadership in a Changing World" Award sponsored by the Ford Foundation and the Advocacy Institute. See the author's website.

Reviews

 “With remarkable clarity, Sharon Ellison describes a method of listening and speaking which can give each of us clarity, confidence and power, regardless of whether others cooperate or not.”
—Common Ground

“The premise is powerful: Human communication has been shaped by our focus on defensive self-protection and power struggle.”
—The Dallas Morning News

“We need Sharon Ellison’s work in our homes, in our offices, and most of all, in our hearts.”
—Evelyn C. White, editor, The Black Women’s Health Book

“Powerful Non-Defensive Communication is the missing link that bridges the gap between our desire to communicate effectively and our ability to actually do so.”
—Robert Brownstone, Corporate Educational Specialist

“The most powerful and effective communication technique I have seen. I wonder what would have happened if Sharon Ellison had been at Camp David [for the Middle East peace talks].”
—Maureen A. Tighe, U.S. Department of Justice