Relationships Matter

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 understaning four different "people styles"--driver, analytical, amiable, and expressive.

User Reviews about People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better

My mentor recommended this book to me and have seen recommended to my peers and friends. This helps you identify people work styles and how to build a working relationship with them. In a professional and social setup these days, it has become increasing important to be able to relate and understand others opinion and where they are coming from. I think it is a useful book and definitely a quick read. Highly recommend this book! -- Good book

All participants in a supervisory workshop that I conduct receive this book. It is perfect, especially the appendix section of the book, for employees who want to better their work and personal relationships and be able to influence. The key is flexibility, not your style, to have more effective interactions. Vilma Colon, Transition Matters, Inc. -- People Styles at Work

The Boltons assert that trouble among co-workers comes from not understanding differences. They describe different styles on 2 dimensions of behavior--assertiveness and responsiveness--and 4 styles of presentation. Subordinates are encouraged to ask managers if it is okay to change their usual styles to accommodate managers. Managers, likewise are encouraged to respect subordinate's styles by modifying their own.

All of this is good sense for improving communication among workers of different ranks. Awareness of styles is an added tool for those who wish to practice right-rank, the use of one's position to bring respect to all--regardless of rank. Julie Ann Wambach, author of Battles between Somebodies and Nobodies: Combat Abuse of Rank at Work and at Home -- Boltons Support Right-Rank

This book offers an excellent tool to predict different behavior in the work place. I am using it as part of my research as it proved to be a relaible source for data collection and analysis. -- Simple and Reliable

A book for the Human Resources Professional seeking to improve employee relationships at the office. It is a wonderful tool to understand what makes people tick and how to help them keep in time with the rest of the clock that is the organisation. A wonderful asset. -- Great for the HR Professional