PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence Paperback – June 21, 2000

This is an awesome book that illustrates simply the skill sets needed to increase your interpersonal intelligence. I have recommended this book to over 60 people. Its a must read for leaders at all levels. The book is not full of over the top psychological lingo, that many other books on this subject are. It Simple and Practical. Understanding people is not complicated, when you understand yourself and how you are, who you are. People Smart will increase your knowledge of Self. Get It!!!!

I enjoy reading books that can help in understanding the self-help nature of relating with people. I had problems with interpersonal communications but did not know how to apply it. You develop a better understanding if knowledge of the language is communicated. Understand the differences between genders makes conversations a little more meaningful. From there, judgment lets you decide how to approach people.That helps when problems in communication takes place.

The author outlines 8 useful and neccessary skills to become People Smart:1)Understanding People. Author provides a succinct explaination and usefulness of MBTI indicators such as ENTP.2)Expressing yourself clearly. I didn't find this chapter too useful. As long as you speak clearly and choose your words carefully, you are at least a decent speaker.3)Asserting your needs. Useful only to for those who can't assert themselves).4)Exchanging feedback5)Influencing Others. This is the best chapter by far. Influencing others involve making a connection and figuring out what their needs are (security, acceptance, ego, self actualization) and then making a persuasion in align with their needs.6)Resolving Conflict. This is only if you argue with people all the time.7)Being a team player.8)Shifting Gears.

I recent days, I have systematically read and processed the work of Dr. Mel Silberman, in his book, PeopleSmart, subtitled Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence. Dr. Silberman is a clinical psychologist who has worked with people in their personal and professional development for over 30 years.My primary focus was given to the areas of "active listening" and "succinct and direct answers." For this reason, I have yet to venture beyond chapter 2 as this would move the discussion outside of my particular area of concern.The book consists of 8 skills that if mastered are characteristic of those who are PeopleSmart.My interest is in PeopleSmart Skills 1 (PSS1): Understanding People, and PeopleSmart Skills 2 (PSS2): Expressing Yourself Clearly.PSS1 discussed the importance of active listening, empathizing with others and their viewpoint. Among other things, Body language was also discussed in understanding and interpreting lifestyle differences for communication in order to establish better working relationships.PSS2 focused on the significance of communication - getting the message across. The ability to get to the point with brevity, when required, yet providing the necessary details so that confusion doesn't reign was important. The ability to use terminology that "sticks" was also highlighted.In all the counsel offered, fundamental to this was the idea of - LEARN IT - TRY IT - LIVE IT. This was the practical application recommended by Silberman in the ongoing effort of developing interpersonal skills.I completed a survey of my PeopleSmart Skills which confirmed that I had additional room for overall improvement, much less the previously identified areas of concentration.Of particular interest, Silberman remarked, "...trying to understand others is the cornerstone to interpersonal intelligence. When you don't understand other people, you can't influence, collaborate, or resolve conflicts with them."An interesting point was made to postpone important conversations UNLESS able to give the individual the uninterrupted attention or time required. This is a judgment call that should be carefully considered, given the individual and circumstance.The idea of practicing being FULLY PRESENT when speaking or listening to others ...The goal of Communication: get message across - talk straight - include the listener. The author notes that good communicators don't think out loud. I suppose I don't necessarily "think out loud," but I do add my own commentary on what I think is occurring.Looking forward, my goal is to withhold my own feelings or commentary unless asked, and when asked. In my field of work (pastorate) - this may be more difficult than imagined.

PeopleSMART really is helping me bring more clarity in my life with my relationships with others. It offers us the readers a more hands on approach to understand and reflect and apply the concepts. In doing so, this book has helped me improve my relations at work and corrected certain beliefs i had. Answers questions applying in social situations. definitely a must have

I purchased this book to use as training material with clients and it has been a wonderful tool so far. My clients seem to enjoy the example dialogue included in the book to illustrate communication skills and this then makes it easier to get the willing to role play those skills themselves. Great book!

There are so many useful and practical tools to improve communication skills in the book People Smart. The book helps one to recognize their own communication style while being cognizant of others. The Smart Skills are practical for improving day to day, work place, and family interpersonal relationships.

A good book but 40% if its content are basically common sense.