People Tools: 54 Strategies for Building Relationships, Creating Joy, and Embracing Prosperity

Fox has an easy-to-read writing style and a unique spin on life. I couldn't help but enjoy this book.A favorite tip of mine was "tip the messenger." When you get bad news, it's common to act upset about it. People, therefore, don't want to tell you bad news. However, if you "tip the messenger" (thank them) they'll be more likely to be honest with you.Another great tip is "After you, Gaston." People will ask you to do this and do that for them. It can become quite an imposition on your time. After you, Gaston, counsels you to give them an assignment, something for them to complete before you fulfill your part. That, too, makes sense and it cuts down the number of requests you need to respond to.When you suspect someone is trying to manipulate you, use "Question Mark." That is, ask lots of questions. Doing so flusters a perspective manipulator - and seeing that happen is amusement easily worth the price of the book.Remember people around you are walking "Parallel Paths." That is, their path can be near yours but it's still not the same. That teaches us to be alert to differences in others.If you want people to keep doing something "Catch them Being Good." People like the feeling of pleasing others and they're inclined to respond to positivity.There's lots of good advice in here and Fox is quite the story teller. Unfortunately, the book is organized somewhat randomly, so it can be somewhat difficult to retain the good points he makes. To take away something from this book you've got to diagram it or something - or write a review like I did to refresh it in your mind....

My girlfriend and I got this book as a gift and decided to read it aloud to each other. We figured we'd read one tool each night before bed. That turned in to us plowing through the whole book in two days. We loved it so much she decided to read it to me on a road trip knowing that she would get carsick but we were so excited by the content it seemed worth it. Since then, we have referred back to the tools in the book repeatedly. I don't know how many times we've said "Belt Buckle" to each other or "80% Rule" as a way to remind ourselves of how to make decisions in our lives. I've managed treatment programs for fourteen years and am always looking for resources for the at-risk youth I serve. Usually I have to take the techniques or tools from whatever I'm reading and "translate" it to what I call "teen speak". I bought several copies of this book and the teens love it. On the flip side I sent it to my 83 year old pen pal in the UK knowing that he is going to enjoy the book too. Even though this book is filled with clearly laid out tools that one can immediately apply ones life and begin to be more peaceful, loving and successful, the thing I was most struck by People Tools was the way the book as a whole shows how to make your own life a classroom. Fox doesn't preach from a mountain top and set out certainties from a place of being an expert. He shows us through his own foibles, insecurities and trial and error failures and successes how to be open to the lessons in our own lives and live more consciously. So many books say "when you get lemons make lemonade" but People Tools offers up the recipe and then encouragingly tells the reader to look into our own lives and begin to see the difficult times as an opportunity for finding the gems of our own people tools. I love this book.

A practical and entertaining read that teaches fundamental principles for dealing with other people, both personally and professionally.It is something of a catalog of strategies and attitudes that should be common sense, but are not.In many cases the tools take daily situations and twist them around to look at them from a fresh perspective. The result is series of mini-epiphanies, either voicing in easy to implement concepts that the reader has always known deep down but been unable to use on a regular basis, or knocking commonly held misconceptions on their ear so soundly that after reading them, the reader will never fall into that mind-trap again.Of the 54 "Tools" many will already be second nature to the reader, but there will also be several gems that are fresh insights that will create a positive change in the reader's life from the moment the chapter is completed. Part of the fun of the book is that every reader will find different reactions to each chapter, taking away either the smug satisfaction of having their personal outlook confirmed, or the honest joy of having a fresh insight into a problem that has continually plagued them.In either case, the light good humor of the book will keep the reader entertained as he discovers which.

Here is a man who openly admits his mistakes, faults and foibles and yet haswisdom to impart. We don't respect our elders enough in this country. Theirwisdom could prevent you from making similar mistakes.His titles are sort of an intellectual shorthand or shortcut. His lifestories are meaningful. I especially like the one where is was pushedout of his comfort zone and went hiking and then climbed a mountainand was rewarded with scenic vistas. Sort of a cautionary tale for allof us. Overall it is not necessarily the content but the overall positive contentthat pervades. It has been said that if you want to be successful thenhang with successful people. The book offered a few hours of hangingwith a very successful person, businessman and writer.The reviewer is the author of another kind of People Tools book entitled:Sex Education for Adults Secrets To Amazing Sex and HappilyEver After TooKudos sir, well done

'People Tools' by author Alan Fox is a short and entertaining book, which is full of wisdom. There are many life experiences discussed by the author from which is 'Tools and strategies' have served him well over his life time.There are some great anecdotes and quotations that supplement the cases described in the book. Also i believe the book can be useful for Self Management purposes and possibly an aid in the management of others. Section headlines are eye-catching such as the 'Belt Buckle', 'Shrink the Glass', 'Sizzle and Steak', 'Honey First', 'Leverage', 'True Colours' and ... here's a great one 'Having a Nonversation'.So i recommend you purchase this book on Amazon. Let the book be your leverage in life.Denis J (Amazon Author of the "3-3-3" Enigma: An Invitation to Consciously Create Your Reality).

A summary of beliefs and strategies to live by, aimed to reduce stress and build stronger relationships. Shared as a set of stories and personal experiences, this is highly accessible and engaging and avoids being lecturing or preaching in style.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book concepts such as sunk costs, snip etc for me are extremely interesting and enabling.Thanks

A very positive book, which is a welcome read. Practical, straight forward and positive.

good