PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence [Paperback]

Melvin L. Silberman (Author), Freda Hansburg (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 21, 2000

Everyone is in the people business, because all of us deal with other people all the time. Thats why its smart to reap the benefits of this eminently practical guide. PeopleSmart details the eight essential skills of interpersonal intelligence and provides a powerful plan for becoming more effective in every relationship -- with supervisors, coworkers, a spouse, family and friends.

The authors present a realistic four-step plan for self-improvement. Theyll teach you to see the current depth of each skill in yourself, encourage you to develop it, provide clear suggestions for how to put it into action, and inspire you to live it every day. Nothing short of an interpersonal fitness plan – complete with creative exercises, examples, and tools -- PeopleSmart will empower you to become the kind of person who can establish solid relationships, connect with others, and effectively link the their needs with what you have to offer.

"As e-commerce ‘commoditizes the world, PeopleSmart is the preeminent intelligence. Seldom do you see scholars become this practical! Theoretically sound. Well researched. Very reader friendly!"
-- Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...essential reading for growing important relationships in our personal and professional lives." -- Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager, Raving Fans, Empowerment Takes more than a Minute and Gung Ho!

"...inspirational and practical. If you want to be interpersonally effective, this book will show you the way." -- Glenn Parker, author of Team Players and Teamwork

"As e-commerce 'commoditizes' the world, PeopleSmart is the preeminent intelligence...Theoretically sound. Well researched. Very reader friendly!" -- Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

"Mel Silberman is the Leonardo da Vinci of experiential learning...PeopleSmart is a masterpiece." -- Jim Kouzes, coauthor of The Leadership Challenge and Encouraging the Heart, Chairman Emeritus, tompeters!company

"PeopleSmart offers insight and assistance for today's biggest workplace challenges, getting things done through others." -- Ron Zemke, coauthor of Generations at Work

People with high intellect but low interpersonal effectiveness are likely to succeed only in limited areas of their lives. Here's an intelligent and clearly written book that will raise your interpersonal quotient. Read it! -- Arnold A. Lazarus, ABPP Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Rutgers University

PeopleSmart is an elegantly simple fieldbook jam-packed with everything you need for great relationships. Make it a must-read for all your relationsassociates, friends, spouse--and reap the rewards of harmony, understanding, and productivity. -- Chip R. Bell, coauthor of Dance Lessons: Six Steps to Great Partnerships in Business and Life

About the Author

Mel Silberman, Ph.D., is professor and coordinator of the Adult and Organizational Development Program at Temple University. He is also president of Active Training, a provider of cutting-edge business and personal development seminars based in Princeton, NJ. A licensed psychologist, he specializes in training and development, marital and family health, performance improvement, and team building. Silberman has written a dozen bestselling books for parents, business people, educators, and trainers, including Active Training, Active Learning, Confident Parenting and 101 Ways to Make Meetings Active. He is also editor of The Team and Organization Development Sourcebook and The Training and Performance Sourcebook.

Freda Hansburg, Ph.D., is a psychologist and facilitator of change at both the personal and organizational levels. She currently maintains a clinical practice with individuals and couples and directs the Technical Assistance Center, a consultation and training program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler (June 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576750914
• ISBN-13: 978-1576750919
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly practical and to the point, October 6, 2000

By 

Kimberly Merriman (Ambler, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence (Paperback)

PeopleSmart is a plain English, how-to book on improving your interpersonal skills. It helped me discover exactly where my people skills are lacking and then taught me how to improve these areas. I was able to use what I learned in both my work and personal relationships. As a matter of fact, after reading just a few chapters and having my eyes opened, I successfully resolved a conflict with a colleague that had actually been keeping me awake at night. I'm an academic that's skeptical of quick fix advice not supported by research, but bored by esoteric ramblings. PeopleSmart struck the right balance. Enjoy the experience.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for Absolutely Everyone, September 1, 2000

By 

Leslie Brunker (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence (Paperback)

I am a teacher on Communication Skills, and Peoplesmart is the best resource out there. It is well-organized and easy to use. It is not a passive book, but gets the reader actively involved in learning and practicing effective people skills. It's a fabulous resource for the workplace, but also has applications for home and personal relationships. I have never met anyone who couldn't use tips for resolving conflicts, expressing oneself, and influencing others. This book is great on its own, or can be combined with the workshops offered to really bring home these tremendous people skills, communications, and interaction effectivenenss. Everyone should have this resource, not on their shelf, but in their hands!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring Out The Best, Bring Out PeopleSmart, September 8, 2001

By 

"flamb1" (Cape Elizabeth, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence (Paperback)

Self-help books are a dime a dozen, but this one is different - it doesn't promise a quick fix. Instead it lays out a systematic program for enhancing one of the most important skills of all, the ability to be effective in dealing with other people. The authors describe their approach as an interpersonal intelligence workout program. It describes in clear, understandable language the eight critical PeopleSmart skills, then provides a step-by-step program for practicing them. These skills are applicable in all aspects of interpersonal relations -at home, on the job, and even when dealing with a cranky store clerk. This is not a book about manipulating others to get what you want, but rather about bringing out the best in people. Learning to apply this principle is the key to the PeopleSmart approach