Customer Reviews

How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People

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Not after I finished it and started to write the review I didnt realize this book was first published in 1956. That means two things. First, human nature doest change. Second, it's so good that it can stand the test of time and become a classic.

As there is no content page here on Amazon, I would like to post one here for your reference.

Ch1. Your key to success and happiness
Ch2. How to use the basic secret for inluencing others
Ch3. How to cash in on your hidden assets
Ch4. How to control the actions and attitudes of others
Ch5. How you can create a good impression on others
Ch6. How to use three big secrets for attracting people
Ch7. How to make the other person feel friendly
Ch8. How you can develop skill in using words
Ch9. How to use the technique that a supreme court justice called "White Magic"
Ch10. How to get others to see things your way quickly
Ch11. How to get 100% cooperation and increae your brain power
Ch12. How to use your miracle power in human relations
Ch13. How to criticize others without offending them
Ch14. A simple, effective plan of action that will bring you success and happiness

Certainly the chapters above seem common in many interpersonal relationship books. However, I am obliged to praise the author for his outstanding writing skill, clever use of short stories to elaborate the rationale behind his many useful tactics, and those helpful summaries in the end of each chapter. Even if you are a frequent self help book reader, it will still satisfy you well with the no nonsense points. In short, highly recommended!

p.s. Below please some of my favorite passages for your reference.

J.C. Staehle, after analyzing many surveye, found that the prinicpal causes of unrest among workers were the following, listed in the order of their importance:-
1. Failure to give credit for suggestions
2. Failure to correct grievances
3. Failure to encourage
4. Criticizing employees in front of other people
5. Failure to ask employees of their opinion
6. Failure to inform employees of their progress
7. Favoritism pg 24

Remember, human beings are innately selfish beings. They are first, last and always interested in themselves, in their job, their family, their home town, their ideas. Even a question like, "Where are you from?" shos that you are interested in the other person, and consequently gets him interested in you. pg 89

Use "Happy Talk" as much as possible. Nobody likes a Gloomy Gus. Nobody likes to sit and listen to a prophet of doom. People dont like to hear bad news. pg 91

When a would be policitician asked Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes for advice on how to get elected to office, Justice Holmes wrote him: To be able to listen to others in a sympathetic and understanding manner is perhaps the most effective mechanism in the world for getting along with people and tying up their friendship for good. Too few people practice the "white magic" of being good listeners. pg 94

Most of us want the other fellow to think we are clever, intelligent, "smart". But the person who goes around always making "smart remarks", always knocking himself out to be "clever," is not voted in by the other fellow as a "clever person". Instead he gets elected to the classification of "smart-aleck," "blow-hard", or "egotist." pg 95

These three Yale psychologists found the best way to get ideas accepted is to use a low-pressure technique, one of calmly presenting facts, and leaving out threats or attempts at using force. pg 106

Two rules for administering praise. 1. It must be sincere. 2. Praise the act or the attribute, rather than the person. pg 135

Knowledge + Application = Success pg 147

I first heard about this great book back in the mid 1970's when I was working for a direct sales company. I had to admit that people skills were not my forte. The good news was that they could be devloped and I did just that by reading and using Les Giblins great techniques.

The technique how to get 100% cooperation alone is worth the price of this book. In fact, I feel that it would be impossible to read any part of this great book without benefitting.

This is a great book. Highly recommended.

If you have trouble handling people, this is the book for you. Sure, it was written in the 1950s, but it does NOT need to be updated. Everything the author says is true; and he explains it all in an easy, understandable, and thoughtful way. One of my favorite parts is when Les Giblin tells a story about one of his friends who walked up to total strangers and chatted with them as if they were old friends. ("No one ever called him fresh or rude.") Giblin asked his friend what his secret was. His friend's secret is revealed; Buy this book, b/c it's worth it!

I am a shy person naturally, so this book really helped me. It is a timeless classic that helps you relate to other people in a variety of settings and cultivate friendships. It also talks about how to influence people, which is good if you are in sales or simply trying to get your way with something important to you. Great book!

I love this book. It goes to the heart of the matter even better that Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, although that is an excellent book too. I have read and re-read this book and practice it constantly. But dealing with people is one of those things that you can continually improve and never come to the end of your potential. Giblin's book is a classic manual for that journey.

Another excellent book is Self-Help Stuff That Works by Adam Khan (Youme Works; ISBN: 0962465674). That book has great references and he uses the same chapter ending principle style as Carnegie! You won't find it at the bookstore, but you will find it here.

This is quite a fun book! I love the idioms, such as "sorehead," which I had almost forgotten!

This book reminds me of the other "Dealing with People" books I have read, but Giblin has a specific zest and glibness that is enchanting. This bouncy language drives the book across its points. It was a quick read, and very conversational so you aren't being lied to , or confused. I recommend this book to be used with "How To Win Friends And Influence People."

Sure the book was written in the 50's, but the basics of human relations haven't really changed. I didn't let the age of the book deter me from reading this.

I must confess that I will scan a lot of books at the local bookstore. Some I put down pretty quickly and others I'll read through. This is one of those books that I just had to own and read at leisure to fully absorb the message.

I know now that I have been doing some things dreadfully wrong in the realm of human relations. Some of my more egregious "sins" have been not being careful about other people's egos, trying to dominate conversations with stories about "me", and not being willing to accept others as they are.

This book lets you know that most people fail not because they can't technically do their job, but because they fail to get along with others. Chalk this book up to yet another thing you wish you had learned in school!

If your career or volunteer activities require you to interact with lots of different types of people and, more specifically, to get them to do what you want them to do, read this book! Lest there be any confusion, Giblin does not suggest that his readers manipulate, badger or cojole people into doing things; rather, he teaches how to change oneself so that people will want to see things your way. H.t.H.C.a.P.i.D.w.P preaches self-improvement, not strong-arming.

No matter what you do in life, the principles taught in this book, if applied, will make you a more likeable, more pleasant, more relatable person. With the confidence you will gain from applying the principles you will learn to like yourself, the necessary first step in winning the confidence of others.

If it were up to me, I'd make this book mandatory reading for every high school student in America.

Les' book is a timeless classic. I read this book over 10 years ago and I still remember how great it was today.

How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People
by Les Giblin is a must have in any success/self-improvement library.

Wishing you the best of luck and much success, your devoted life coach,

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

This book is written in everyday language and helps non-management people understand why others act as they do. A lot of practical information on how to influence others through routine application of basic principles. This book is also a good review for professional managers who may have lost touch with the human relations side of their jobs. Also useful for professional managers who need to train new/inexperienced managers.