People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better [Paperback]

Robert Bolton (Author), Dorothy Grover Bolton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1996

This text asserts that it is possible to overcome personality conflicts by understanding other people's differences instead of merely reacting to them emotionally. It presents a behavioural science model for understanding four different "people styles", and explains how readers can: identify their own style and how they appear to others; relate effectively - no matter how others react to them; create common ground with different people while retaining their own individuality; and evaluate other people's "people styles" and discover how to "flex" their style to match.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"We love it! Extremely well done and as useful as they get." -- Soundview Executive Book Summaries

Book Description

"With so much diversity in the workplace, it's no wonder people problems abound. Yet it is possible to overcome personality conflicts by understanding other people's differences instead of merely reacting to them emotionally.

A sequel to Social Style, Management Style, this book presents a comprehensive behavioral science model for understanding four different ""people styles."" The authors explain how readers can:

* identify their own styles and how they appear to others

* relate effectively -- no matter how others react to them

* create common ground with different people while retaining their own individuality

* evaluate the ""people styles"" of others and discover how to ""flex"" their styles to match

Readers will learn the characteristic strengths and weaknesses of each style -- driver, analytical, amiable, and expressive -- and how these characteristics can create stress in the other behavior types. They'll discover how to minimize these stresses by getting ""in synch"" with the style-based behavior patterns of others."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (May 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814477232
• ISBN-13: 978-0814477236
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Bolton, Ph.D., is president of Ridge Consultants in Cazenovia, New York, a firm that specializes in improving human performance in industry, health care, education, and government. His staff has taught communication skills to thousands of managers, salespersons, first-line supervisors, secretaries, customer-relations personnel, teachers, members of the clergy, health-care workers, couples, and others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must read for every one..., July 8, 2005

By 

Rai Chowdhary "Rai" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better (Paperback)

Of the several books I have studied on similar topics, this was one of the easiest to read through and apply. Although the title says People Styles at Work, it is equally applicable in personal life as well. The focus on studying behavior and inferring "style" from the same is much easier accomplished than trying to figure out the "temprament style" based on Myers Briggs.

The two dimensions of Assertiveness and Responsiveness, and the concept of above / below the middle for each of these dimensions gives 4 quadrants; one for each of the styles. This makes it convenient to understand the 4 styles, and also the shades within the styles.

I have benefited tremendously - if you are new to this topic it will serve you well to take notes as you read; create a cheat sheet of the characteristics for each style. Then for some time carry the cheat sheet with you, and refer to it often as you observe people's behaviors. Over a period of time, you will pickup the nuances of how to recognize the styles, and succeed in your interactions with others - despite them, and despite yourself... Enjoy!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could save your sanity, and maybe your job!, November 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better (Paperback)

Highly recommended. Several years ago, I had a clash of personal styles between my boss and me. I thought she talked like a kindergarten teacher, and she felt that I came on like a steamroller. She was familiar with the methods discussed in this book, although she learned them during a seminar at a former employer. This book helped turn a bad working relationship into an excellent working relationship, and may have saved my job. I learned to "flex" to my boss's style (and to her credit, she flexed somewhat to mine). I reread the book from time to time and try to practice what I've learned. I highly recommend the book to anyone who is running into "people problems" on the job or elsewhere.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A method that really makes a difference in the workplace!, January 15, 2003

By 

FX "effixe" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better (Paperback)

One the best book and method on the subject I have read so far, and I have read quite a few. There are 4 main Communication Styles, and the best thing is that only observable behaviors are used to categorize people in one style or another. No messing around with people's phsyche, and finally a very simple method to effectively relate to other people in the workplace.

I am using Communication Styles with all my direct reports, during meetings, etc. It allows me to convey clearly my messages, and at the same time overcome communication styles differences. This simple method does makes a difference in my daily work not only as a manager but also in communicating with my peers.

This book is a must have in your management library at home.