If you've ever been tongue-tied - or if you've ever given a tongue-lashing (and regretted it), Tongue Fu! offers constructive alternatives that will turn hostility into harmony and help you avoid a mental breakdown in the face of aggression. With straightforward strategies and proven techniques, Tongue Fu! examines almost every kind of verbal conflict - from fights with your spouse or a stalemate with the kids - and shows how to use martial arts for the mind and mouth to deflect attacks, disarm disputes, and defuse any explosive situation. With Tongue Fu! you will learn words to use (and words to lose) in tense situations, the power of the phrase "You're right," the tools to use when people push your "hot buttons," how to handle a verbal bully who enjoys attacking and tormenting, how to gracefully exit an argument, what to say when you don't know what to say, how to use silence to your advantage, how to be pleasantly unpleasant, and how to take charge of your emotions.
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About Sam Horn
Sam Horn, Intrigue Expert, helps people create one-of-a-kind presentations, pitches, brand and books that scale their influence for good.
Her work - including SOMEDAY Is Not A Day in The Week, Tongue Fu!, POP! and the Washington Post bestseller Got Your Attention? - has been featured in New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, Foreign Service Journal and INC.
Her inspiring presentations at SXSW, Asian Leadership Conference, Fortune 500 Forum, and for Boeing, Intel, Cisco, Accenture, ASAE, National Geographic, the U.S. Navy, YPO and EO, and Four Seasons Resorts receive high evaluations for featuring original insights and stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes and actionable recommendations people use immediately to produce real-world results.
She has been the pitch coach for British Airways Face2Face competition and for Springboard Enterprises, which has helped entrepreneurs such as Robin Chase of Zipcar and Gail Goodman of Constant Contact receive $6.6 billion in funding.
She is renowned for her ability to help people create intriguing, purposeful, original communications that help them break-out instead of blend in. Her consulting clients include Terry Jones, (founder of Travelocity), Gail Sheehy (author of Passages), Charlie Pellerin (Project Manager for the Hubble Telescope) and Betsy Myers, (COO of Obama's first Presidential Campaign.)
Her TEDx talk on INTRIGUE has been viewed by 160,000 people worldwide and shows how we can connect with anyone, anytime - why we should NEVER give an elevator SPEECH - and what to do instead.
www.samhorn.com
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Tongue Fu! Paperback – March 14, 1993
by Sam Horn (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 140 ratings
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“This is a great book! Tongue Fu! puts a new twist on communiction. Everyone should read it.!” ―John Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women are from Venus
“Tongue Fu! is a practical and easy-to-read book on the important topic of interpersonal relationships. Many stories beautifully illustrate the immediate, usable ideas on how to get along better with just about anyone, anytime, anywhere. The world would be a more peaceful and harmonious place if people practiced the enduring principles presented in this book. Tongue Fu! is destined to be a classic.” ―Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Soul
“Tongue Fu! is filled with delightful tools for keeping both feet on the ground instead of in the mouth. Both young and old need to learn its lessons for creating connection instead of alienation.” ―Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway and End the Struggle and Dance with Life
“This book is a gold mine for anyone who deals with the public. The great strength lies in two things. First are Horn's unimpeachable ideas. She's added to the legacy of ideas on dealing with people left by Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Dale Carngie, and many others. That takes skill. Second are the examples she uses. This a comprehensive manual for getting ahead--while inviting others to join you.” ―Executive Book Summaries
“In this delightful book, I found many gems of practical wisdom for everyday life. Among books on effective communication and improved relationships, this is one of the finest ever seen. An important work--fun to read, learn from, and apply.” ―Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior and The Laws of Spirit
“Frustrated? Try some verbal kung fu. These verbal techniques for 'fast-forwarding through frustration' help keep inner harmony.” ―the Chicago Tribune
“This is a terrific book, full of verbal 're-engineering' designed to refocus us toward greater fulfillment in our dialogues with others through better communication.” ―Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power
About the Author
Sam Horn, president of Action Seminars, has given workshops to 350,000 people in more than fifty cities across the country and has also written Concrete Confidence. She hosts a weekly radio show called Sam Says on Maui's most-listened-to station, KLHI. Tongue Fu! has been featured in Family Circle, Cosmopolitan, Reader's Digest, and USA Today, to name a few. Her impressive client list includes Young President's Organization, Hewlett-Packard, U.S. Navy, the IRS, American Bankers Association, and Four Seasons Hotels. She is a member of the National Speakers Organization, and she lives in Maui, Hawaii, with her family.
Product details
ASIN : 0312152272
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (March 14, 1993)
Language: : English
Paperback : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 9780312152277
ISBN-13 : 978-0312152277
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5.46 x 0.64 x 8.3 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #338,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#375 in United States Military Veterans History
#724 in Literary Graphic Novels (Books)
#1,581 in Interpersonal Relations (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars 140 ratings
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Biography
Sam Horn, Intrigue Expert, helps people create one-of-a-kind presentations, pitches, brand and books that scale their influence for good.
Her work - including SOMEDAY Is Not A Day in The Week, Tongue Fu!, POP! and the Washington Post bestseller Got Your Attention? - has been featured in New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, Foreign Service Journal and INC.
Her inspiring presentations at SXSW, Asian Leadership Conference, Fortune 500 Forum, and for Boeing, Intel, Cisco, Accenture, ASAE, National Geographic, the U.S. Navy, YPO and EO, and Four Seasons Resorts receive high evaluations for featuring original insights and stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes and actionable recommendations people use immediately to produce real-world results.
She has been the pitch coach for British Airways Face2Face competition and for Springboard Enterprises, which has helped entrepreneurs such as Robin Chase of Zipcar and Gail Goodman of Constant Contact receive $6.6 billion in funding.
She is renowned for her ability to help people create intriguing, purposeful, original communications that help them break-out instead of blend in. Her consulting clients include Terry Jones, (founder of Travelocity), Gail Sheehy (author of Passages), Charlie Pellerin (Project Manager for the Hubble Telescope) and Betsy Myers, (COO of Obama's first Presidential Campaign.)
Her TEDx talk on INTRIGUE has been viewed by 160,000 people worldwide and shows how we can connect with anyone, anytime - why we should NEVER give an elevator SPEECH - and what to do instead.
www.samhorn.com
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sam horn highly recommend years ago easy to read practical advice words to lose great book reading this book recommend this book difficult people home and at work dealing with difficult good book book is great book is a fun read tongue communication techniques verbal examples
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Top reviews from the United States
lizzielee102
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended for the World We Live In
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
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Excellent suggestions on how to frame your responses to bullies or other types of difficult human beings. The quotations that she has interspersed throughout the material are inspiring and valuable as well. I did see several errors in punctuation and at least one misspelled word. I would assume that is the editor's fault. I highly suggest this book if you work and/or live in a toxic environment or encounter these kinds of unpleasant interactions on a frequent basis. And who doesn't nowadays? Dealing with people with kindness or humor while still making your point brings about a more peaceful existence and hopefully some insight for those who engage in such negative behaviors on a regular basis.
4 people found this helpful
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Mark L
4.0 out of 5 stars Read this years ago - I still use tools and quotes from this book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2013
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You know a book has an impact when you find yourself referring to its quotes and tools years later.
One example is Sam Horn's tip to "name the game" where you defuse a person's manipulation by calling them out on their pattern, which disarms them and leaves them in a more honest position to deal with a situation (she describes it much better than me). It is a simple concept, but powerful when put into practice as I have seen numerous times in my life.
The book is a fun read with practical examples. I can see why it resonates with so many reviewers here.
Also, the book is a collection of excellent quotes. I don't have my copy at hand, but I will never forget Abraham Lincoln's quote "I destroy my enemy by making him my friend."
9 people found this helpful
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M. Heiss
TOP 500 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2017
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This is a good book for introverts (saying that because I am one) and kids who are new in the workforce.
Learning how to graciously respond in uncomfortable, stressful situations without losing your temper or composure: what could be more important?
Highly recommend.
4 people found this helpful
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T. A. Baker
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Communication Skills
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2012
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This is a great book. Full of insight, humor, and good advice about communication and people skills, I highly recommend it.
The author combines personal anecdotes with sound principles about speaking, listening, and communication in general. There are also some practical examples of how to implement the tips/pointers at the end of each chapter. Each one is a plausible real life scenario that could have (and probably has) happened to you.
Even a master orator or a professional phone support operator would find something in this book that was new to them or looked at things from an angle they hadn't ever considered. If you study and really apply the principles in this book in your day-to-day dealings with other people, you will benefit greatly. I read it some years ago and after buying it recently and going over it again, I realized just how much some of these principles still influence how I interact with people, and I'd never realized it.
Well written and a great buy. You won't be disappointed.
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5 people found this helpful
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Jaye’
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 STARS!
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2020
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Phenomenal book! Anybody that communicates to people on the regular should have this book in their collection!
One person found this helpful
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Rai Chowdhary
4.0 out of 5 stars Catch them young...and coach selectively...
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2005
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Easy to read, with lots of good tips for every day skirmishes we run into. However, not all advice provided will work for every situation; therefore you will need to carefully decide what you want to use from this book, and when. I have been using these techniques on a selective basis, and found them quite constructive in many instances.
One key thing I wish the author had included in detail is the effect of paradigms, filters, and styles (yours and the other party's). This does affect your interactions with them considerably. To arm yourself with that understanding you may want to read People Styles at Work, and What Type Am I in addition to this book.
It would be a great idea if parents taught their children such tips when young; habits once formed are harder to break, and this is even more so with grown ups.
Those seeking more intellecutally challenging material backed by scientific studies will likely be disappointed. This remark is not meant to deter you from giving the book a good read though.
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12 people found this helpful
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christopher l. jackson jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019
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good
One person found this helpful
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songcha
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of great idea for how to respond to communication, in wise ways...every one needs it..
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2020
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Highly recommend from the the @korean web site "book club "
After , I read , I will order another for my son for Christmas gift....
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Sugar-man
4.0 out of 5 stars A very useful book with nice tactics
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2016
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MY opinion : A very useful book with nice tactics , some of them close to Glass's book (as for example I found the mirroring technique on one of her chapters ) , but possibly more advanced and useful than the elementary and more general of Glass's . And you learn also very useful , meat for your mind , quotes!
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Mr. L. Aduli
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read packed with so many tips
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2012
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This book really is packed full to bursting with so many easy to implement tips, which also make so much sense. It gives you so many tips to enhance your interactions, not only with those you love, but also your work colleagues and even strangers. Learn how to best deal with people using easy to use techniques and get stress out of your life for good! I would say for the price of this book you're getting a bargain.
One person found this helpful
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Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars Watch this space!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2016
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This is the book that I have been looking to find for many years. I have read many self help books on communication that have left me with nothing. I am now a lot more confident in communicating after reading this and I have only just finished the book. I have just ordered more books written by this author. I'd recommend this book to any one. Treat yourself!
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L. Gallagher
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2018
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Excellent book arrived well packed. No issues
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Adriana
5.0 out of 5 stars great purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2011
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this booked helped me understand that words are very important. a very straight to the point book for all readers.
One person found this helpful
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