People Skills

Rating:
Summary: Classic skills that can be used immediately
Review: I have been using Bolton's book for the past three years in an upper-division university "Interpersonal Communication Skills" course. The students rave about the conversational style, and the skills are those that once practiced can be used everyday.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant work
Review: I have gone through the other reviews and I disagree with the criticism a few of them show. I have so far read over 30 books on people-communications skills and relationships, and I believe this is one of the best. It is unique in its approach, ethical, very easy to read and, more importantly, it works. It absolutely works. I was pleasantly surprised for the results when applying the techniques. It is one of those books you read and re-read. Interacting with others successfully is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding aspects of life. I honestly think this book, if taken seriously, can dramatically improve that interaction. I have only endorsed five books in Amazon.com (Being an avid reader, I have bought and read about 120 during the last three years), and this is one of them.

Rating:
Summary: Should be a mandatory read for everyone...period!
Review: I have more books than I can count on all of my appendages regarding communication & relationships. I use them all, but this one book has pulled it all togther for me showing me that my problem really boils down to my not being 'assertive.' I grew up in a religous family and was taught that I must always take care of others before myself...that anger was bad, etc. I now 'see' it clearly for what it is and health is now coming back to my being. I've purchased two of these books and use one to loan out to others. If I thought it would do any good, I'd get one for each member of my family, but the saying holds true, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink." Too bad.

Rating:
Summary: Should be a mandatory read for everyone...period!
Review: I have more books than I can count on all of my appendages regarding communication & relationships. I use them all, but this one book has pulled it all togther for me showing me that my problem really boils down to my not being 'assertive.' I grew up in a religous family and was taught that I must always take care of others before myself...that anger was bad, etc. I now 'see' it clearly for what it is and health is now coming back to my being. I've purchased two of these books and use one to loan out to others. If I thought it would do any good, I'd get one for each member of my family, but the saying holds true, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink." Too bad.

Rating:
Summary: This book has made a difference to me.
Review: I have read the book "People Skills" by Jim Bolton again, to further improve my ability to communicate with people, and be more of a support to them. I first used the book when I was training to become a telephone counseller for Lifeline a few years ago, (though I did not qualify to become a telephone counseller). I have always found the book "People Skills" to be particularly useful to me for improving my relationships with people in my life. I have received thanks from others for my willingness to listen as I apply what I read in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Good ideas
Review: I thought the book was good, had some good ideas and skills that I will certainly be able to use. Robert's right that it's some work to do, and will seem odd/hard/forced at first, but I think it will be worth the effort. Haven't tried it in real practice yet. In Robert's defense regarding the review that comments on his philosophy re compromise - what he's saying is that compromise gives you a solution that doesn't fully meet the needs of either party. He suggests instead that with a little effort you can find solutions that do and gives you tools to find them. My only gripe is that the book is FULL of quotes that add no value.. it's almost distracting.

Rating:
Summary: does better job on active listening skills than any other bk
Review: I would like to communicate with Dr. Bolton. Is that possible? - I AM WORKING ON BOOK ABOUT REFLECTIVE LISTENING and would like his comments/ OR TO DIALOGUE WITH ANYONE ELSE WHO IS INTERESTED. [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: The book should be called LIFE SKILLS!
Review: If the skills described in the book were truly applied in life, the world would be a much better place to live! What amazes me the most, is the author's ability to convey techniques as to how to handle difficult people and manage difficult situations: no manipulations are implied; only an earnest approach to ascertain the other person's feelings in order to overcome differencies and difficulties while establishing a positive relationship.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book on Communications and Interpersonal Skills
Review: If you are too passive or are too aggressive in your conversations, this book will help you achieve a middle ground of being assertive, while at the same time, being sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. If you have difficulty expressing your feelings or if you have difficulty handling strong feelings that others express towards you, then this book will help you. If your arguments escalate out of control or end in stony silence, then this book will provide you with much-needed guidance. If the decisions you make with friends, partners, coworkers, etc. end up with one person getting his/her way and everyone else losing, then the advice in this book will help you to bring about situations in which everyone wins.

In short, "People Skills" is a really good book for interpersonal communication and collaborative problem-solving, and I recommend it highly to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Put this on your Pastor's desk...
Review: In my education as a minister not much emphasis was placed upon interpersonal skills, yet meaningful human interaction composes a large part of a pastors day. "People Skills" are necessary skills if one is to survive (let alone thrive) in the parish - its a wonder why ministers receive so very little training in such relational skills.

I found this book to be a great help in apply pastoral care in an effective and compassionate way. Before theological truths can be spoken, feelings need to be understood, accepted and worked through. This book has helped me to really listen to my parishioners and to assert myself without falling into the trap of being aggressive or becoming resentful becuase of a false humility (submissive).

I highly recommend this book - it is easy to read (and grasp) and is highly practical.