 BOOK REVIEW Surviving Aggressive People Violence can occur around us almost anywhere at anytime. Recognizing its warning signs and learning how to prevent or defuse a violent act can save lives—our own and others’. That is the lesson, at least, that Shawn T. Smith seeks to teach in his book, Surviving Aggressive People: Practical Violence Prevention Skills for the Workplace and the Street. Smith is a former patrol leader and trainer with the Denver chapter of the Guardian Angels, and is founder of a training and consulting company called Peaceful Paths. Some of Smith’s earliest real-life lessons in keeping the peace came from watching his father tend their family-owned bar. “From the sidelines, I watched my father artfully manage armed robbers, angry bikers, domestic disputes, and various arguments over honor and turf,” he writes. Surviving Aggressive People is a fairly short book—but it’s not a quick read. That’s a compliment. Smith treats his heavy topic with a light hand, offering plenty of stories to illustrate the lessons he wants us to learn. But this is not an airy, “Can’t we all just get along?” message. Instead of simply teaching us how to react to, and defend ourselves in, a violent situation, Smith wants us to be proactive. He wants us to prevent violence—and to pursue peaceful resolution if violence occurs. That requires us to read Surviving Aggressive People thoughtfully. Skimming doesn’t work. As Smith explains, “Much has been written about violence, very little of which is useful to the average person in those seconds or minutes before violence erupts. This book will help to remedy that problem.” Surviving Aggressive People might look like a book. But there’s no curling up on a sleepy beach blanket allowed, here. Wake up. Sit up. Be fully present. That’s the best way to receive its many tips and techniques. While Smith shows himself to be a skillful writer, the reader might want to think of him in a different role: as a coach. He gives us four sections through which we can progress at our own pace:
Each section offers a number of steps for handling various scenarios. His three appendices—escape cues, power phrases, and scenario training exercises—serve as flash cards to help us recall key lessons. Surviving Aggressive People can help us better understand what leads some people (gulp! Maybe even ourselves, at times?) to behave aggressively. It also gives us coping skills. Using well-timed and appropriate humor. Communicating nonverbally with eye contact and body language. Being alert and tuned-in to other people and our surroundings. Those are just a few basics. Smith offers many practical steps and insights we can use in the workplace, out on the town, or just walking to our car—if violence threatens to strike. about the book | chapter outline | introduction | case-studies | author | reviews | buy | home |
Read more of Shawn's writings at IronShrink.com