Words Can Change Your Brain: 12 Conversation Strategies to Build Trust, Resolve Conflict, and Increase Intimacy [Hardcover]

Andrew Newberg (Author), Mark Robert Waldman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 14, 2012

Introducing a new strategy that changes the brain to enhance any conversation

In their groundbreaking research, prominent neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, M.D., working with Mark Robert Waldman, has discovered a valuable strategy called Compassionate Communication. In twelve clear steps it allows us to create a special bond with whomever we are speaking, a bond that aligns our brains to work together as one. In this unique state—free from conflict and distrust—we can communicate more effectively, listen more deeply, collaborate without effort, and succeed more quickly at any task.

Using data collected from MBA students, couples in therapy, and caregivers, Newberg and Waldman have seen again and again that Compassionate Communication repositions a difficult conversation for a satisfying conclusion. Whether you are negotiating with your boss or your employees, arguing with your spouse, or coping with your kids, Compassionate Communication is a simple and unbeatable way to achieve a winwin dialogue to help you reach your goals.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Newberg, M.D. is the Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical College. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling Why God Won’t Go Away, and his research has been featured in Time, Newsweek, Oprah Magazine, and on the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the BBC and NPR.

Mark Robert Waldman is Adjunct Faculty at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, where he teaches Executive Communication in the EMBA program. He is a business and personal development coach and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling How God Changes Your Brain, (co-authored with Newberg and named by Oprah as one of nine “must read” books for 2012).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Street Press (June 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594630909
• ISBN-13: 978-1594630903
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Done it again June 14, 2012

By Neil Schuitevoerder

Format:Hardcover

WORDS CAN CHANGE YOUR BRAIN

Newberg and Waldman have done it again! Oprah picked their last book as a "Must Read" for 2012, and in this book they've identified 12 brain-based strategies that can surely help - at home or work - to improve communication skills. The technique is called "Compassionate Communication:" you enter a state of deep relaxation and focus, which includes an inner values exercise, then, when you converse with another, they teach you specific techniques involving nonverbal expressions and vocal tones. One strategy creates a "Mona Lisa" smile that causes the listener's brain to neurologically resonate to the speaker to build trust and foster cooperation. I've used many of these techniques and they can be powerful. The book includes a 20 minute training exercise and I've seen people tear up after a few minutes of practice.
Here are some of the highlights of my favorite chapters:

In THE POWER OF WORDS, the authors show how negativity can undermine a dialogue. They discuss the 3:1 positivity ratio that has been proven to improve personal relationships and work productivity.

In THE MANY LANGUAGES OF THE BRAIN, the authors cover cutting edge research involving the evolution of speech. Some words even have specific flavors!

THE LANGUAGE OF CONSCIOUSNESS: This was one of my favorite chapters because it shows how everyday consciousness is governed by a constant flow of inner speech. When you interrupt it, your conversations can become really meaningful.

THE LANGUAGE OF COOPERATION:Apparently it takes about seven seconds to create a state of "neural resonance" between two people, and research even sheds light on how plants communicate with each other.

THE LANGUAGE OF TRUST: In this chapter the authors elucidate about micro-expressions on the face and how to read the subtle emotions in others. Of interest is the section on how to tell if a person is being honest or deceitful.

Ch 8 guides you through twelve steps, backed up by over 100 scientific studies. Ch 10 offers specific advice for using Compassionate Communication with couples. I found this very useful. Ch 11 shows how to apply it in work situations, and Ch 12 shows how easy it is to use with children. This was an extremely useful and fascinating book, original and easy to read!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for people with mouths June 14, 2012

By Josiah Hultgren

Format:Hardcover

Another great book from two of the world's most respected nuero-researchers

Word's Can Change your brain is one of the most insightful and practicable books for improving your day-to-day life.
Why is that? Because we talk a lot - probably too much as the book points out.

Throughout life we hear platitudes about the value of listening more than speaking, but Words Can Change Your Brain drives it home as something you want to do for yourself (assuming you'd like to be smarter, live longer, cultivate positive feelings, have deeper relationships, be more productive, influence people, resolve conflicts, etc.) Further, the book provides you with simple, research backed strategies to effective, perhaps life-transforming, conversation.

If the meaning of life is found in relationships, I can think of no better investment than to study communication; and Word's Can Change Your Brain is the perfect place to start.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Words Can Change Your Brain September 7, 2012

By Frank Sahlein

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book, with its' theme of Compassionate Communication, lays out 12 very effective strategies for dealing with a variety of conversational situations. The more difficult the situation is, the more valuable this format is ... therefore we must practice long before the situations arise so that we can act instead of react. I can attest that using the 12 strategies in a number of critical personal and professional scenarios yielded outcomes far better that they would have prior to knowing about these tools. Wholeheartedly recommend!