Judo Thinking

By Ben Almond

Discover the secret art of Judo Thinking and improve the way you lead and coach.

An innovative and pragmatic educator, Jigoro Kano created judo in the late 19th century from the fighting systems of the ancient samurai to promote physical, mental and moral welfare. But, as Ben Almond reveals in this unique and inspirational book, judo is not simply a fighting system, it also conceals a secret art of effective and efficient thinking.

As Ben's absorbing text explains, the way we think determines everything we do. Our beliefs, attitudes, fears and aspirations govern the paths we take. They dictate how we create and cultivate relationships. They influence how we behave, and they impact what we can achieve. Our mindset, and the models, methods and modes of thinking which we choose to adopt, ultimately determine the way we live our entire lives. By becoming aware of the way our thoughts govern our actions and influence our outcomes, we can learn to develop ways of thinking which serve us best. Better choices create more positive experiences, unlock more opportunities and enable us to achieve better results, both for ourselves and for the people we support.

Through a series of fascinating autobiographical stories, paternal anecdotes and simple, easy-to-follow business advice, Ben Almond reveals the twenty ways of Judo Thinking, judo's secret thinking code. By combining his extensive experience as a global business leader with his deep knowledge of judo practices, Ben's book systematically takes the reader on a journey of discovery from warm-up to practical application, in the form of a typical judo-coaching session.

This original and thought-provoking judo-inspired business book provides leaders with a new way to establish more effective engagements which will lead to improved individual and corporate performance.
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"Judo Thinking is a timely and useful contribution to the conversation on leadership. Whether or not you know anything about judo, you will come away with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with integrity, to adapt with resilience and to move with purpose." Manos Kapterian, COO Saïd Business School

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"Judo Thinking is an insightful assessment of the interaction between individuals, and how we can optimise that interaction for a better experience and enhanced performance for everyone; for ourselves, for others, for organisations and ultimately for society." Karen Roberts, former GB Olympian and IJF 7th Dan

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"What Judo Thinking offers is more than a metaphor. It's a model built on principles, structured through experience and made real through story. It's accessible without being simplistic; grounded without being dry. Ben's twenty ways of judo thinking aren't just theory, they are tools. They are easy to interpret and, more importantly, easy to implement." Manos Kapterian, COO Saïd Business School

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"In this business-focused book Ben draws parallels from judo, and suggests ideas as to how an approach based on mental efficiency and non-direct resistance can be applied in a business environment to lead through challenges, build strong relationships, and deliver enduring change. This book is a must-read for those committed to leading with both insight and agility." Llyr Jones, Business Strategist and International Judoka, IJF 5th Dan

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1919247505
• ISBN13: 9781919247502
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Brookridge Partners Publishing
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"