BE A PEOPLE PERSON

Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships

By John C. Maxwell, Magna Publishing Co., Ltd. 2002

I n t e r p e r s o n a l book will help you gain a About the Author:

relationships can make or deeper understanding of
break people. This is yourself and of other In 1985,
J o h n
most true for leaders. people. Maxwell
Since leaders work with read the summary
founded
The INJOY
different kinds of people, Group, a
developing the essential collection of
t h r e e
“people skills” will enable distinct
them to bring out the best companies that employ 200
in people. people and provide resources
and services that help people
reach their personal and
Be a People Person is a leadership potential. In
addition to building a
book of help. Its life- successful organization, John
enriching and life- has authored more than thirty
books, including the New York
changing ideas will be Times best sellers The 21
most helpful in your Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
and Failing Forward.
f a m i l y, s o c i a l , a n d
business life. More Called the nation's foremost
importantly, the “people expert on leadership, John
was born in central Ohio five
principles” shared by this and a half decades ago.
for author info

Inside This Book Summary:

Ÿ The Big Idea Ÿ The Art of Motivating People for
Ÿ The Importance of Being a their Benefit
“People Person” Ÿ Loving Difficult People
Ÿ Becoming a Person People ŸLearning to Handle
Respect Criticism
Ÿ Becoming a Person People Trust Ÿ Developing a Winning
Ÿ Qualities of an Effective Leader Team

Published by BusinessSummaries, 3001-91, 11010 NW 30th St., Suite 104, Miami, Florida 33172 ©2006
BusinessSummaries All rights reserved. No part of this summary may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior notice of BusinessSummaries.com.
 These qualities make relationships right. Build
I. The Importance of Being a on these qualities and you will surely help other
“People Person” people realize their potential, and ultimately
help them excel and succeed. Moreover,
People are the most precious of resources. regard people as assets. In so doing, you will
Your success, fulfillment, and happiness become allies instead of adversaries in life.
depend on your ability to relate well to different
kinds of people. This is why it is very important
for you to become a “people person.”
C. The Qualities People Like About You
People are drawn to charismatic individuals.
A. The Golden Rule Charismatic individuals have a personality that
The key to successful interpersonal makes people respond to them positively. To
relationships is to treat people the way you want become a “people person,” you need to
to be treated. This is called the Golden Rule. develop charisma.
Instead of putting people in their place, learn to
put yourself in their place and see life the way Charisma is inherent in all people. Regardless
they see it. of what most believe and think about charisma,
all people have the innate ability to develop that
To become an effective leader, learn to tap and appealing personality that bring about that
develop people. Make a concerted effort special sense of loyalty or enthusiasm in
towards creating a positive change in the way others.
you relate to others. The best way to go about it
is to develop in yourself the same qualities that The key to developing charisma is to make
draw you to other people -- the very same other people feel good about themselves,
qualities that you look for and enjoy in others. rather than to make them feel good about you.
The following are the outstanding traits of
charismatic people:
B. The Qualities You Enjoy in Others
People, no matter what their station in life is, are Ÿ C ONCERN (The Ability to Care)
mostly drawn to those who know how to: Charismatic people are truly concerned about
 encourage people's deepest needs and interests. They
 appreciate truly care and leave you feeling important.
 forgive
 listen Ÿ H ELP (The Ability to Reach Out)
 understand Charismatic people help other people with their
problems. They inspire them to face their
problems, and offer creative solutions and
hope.
About the Book:
A CTION (The Ability to Make Things Happen)
Charismatic people are never boring. They are
always creative and confident in the way they
present ideas or solutions.
Author: John Maxwell
Publisher: Magna Publishing Co  R ESULTS (The Ability to Produce)
Date of Publication: 2002 Charismatic people are other-centered and
ISBN: 8178091283 genuinely wish for other people to succeed.
Number of Pages: 156 pages This trait inspires productivity in people.

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 2 of 8

  I NFLUENCE (The Ability to Lead) value system
Charismatic people are natural leaders. They 2. Focus on God; not on your situation
know how to influence people and make them 3. Develop friendship with confident people
follow their lead. 4. Put a few wins under your belt
5. Become an expert on the one thing you're good
at
SENSITIVITY (The Ability to Feel and 6. Develop a knowledge of people and the product
Respond)
Charismatic people are sensitive to changing
situations. They are adept at responding
appropriately to the mood, feeling, and spirit of
any situation. II. Becoming a Person People Respect
Leaders must live and follow a higher standard
 MOTIVATION (The Ability to Give Hope) than their followers. At the same time, the fewer
Charismatic people are good motivators. They options available to them the higher they go up the
are good at encouraging, believing, and leadership ladder.
supporting people in the face of despair and
adversities. They are also judged differently because their
gifts and responsibilities are different. They may
 A FFIRMATION (The Ability to Build Up) be forgiven for their mistakes and trespasses, but
Charismatic people are good at acknowledging they may not recover their lost credibility that
the accomplishments of other people. They easily. This is because leadership is a position that
think the best, believe the best, and express one earns by proving faithful to their calling and
the best in others. duties.

D. On Becoming Confident with People A. Be a Credible Leader

Confidence in oneself is the cornerstone of Credible leaders lead a disciplined life. A
success. More often than not, a clear direction disciplined life is the best protection against sin.
or goal is not enough to convince others to Moreover, be a person of integrity. Effective
follow. Self-confidence is what makes others leaders establish a system of values that is
believe in a leader. It breeds confidence in consistent with God. At the same time, make
others. yourself accountable to people in authority.
Effective leaders understand that no good ever
Confidence makes you strong and stable in comes out of authority without accountability.
times of great ordeals. Moreover, it enables
you to grow as a person and face life's Furthermore, effective leaders understand that
uncertainties bravely. As a result, you exude a the dangers of structuring their lives and their
sense of security and contentment, which in leadership style according to the “Lone Ranger”
turn brings about a positive change in people. ideal. People tend to develop a distorted
perception of their selves and their organization,
Conversely, insecure leaders have no as well as of other people, when they live
confidence in themselves or in other people. according to this ideal.
They are incapable of causing positive change
in people, much less lead them towards a
common goal. Furthermore, they are incapable B. Be Aware of Your Weaknesses
of giving encouragement. Thus, they only pull Effective leaders must be aware of their
down people instead of lifting them up. weaknesses. This helps them become vigilant
against the things that could lead them astray.
Six ways to develop confidence Remember, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
1. Establish your worth according to God's

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 3 of 8

III. Becoming a Person People Trust verbally communicate their message or vision to
the people. They have a clear picture of that vision
Trust is very important in any type of and are able to convey it creatively to the people.
relationship. It depends very little on the Moreover, they are able to constantly remind
person's name or station in life. When there is people of that vision and confidently lead them
trust, a strong, positive relationship is built. toward its attainment.

Principles in Developing Trust They have a strong belief in people, and they are
1. Demonstrate what you want to instill and be able to find ways to help them grow and become
consistent about it. Be what you teach or ask better with each passing day. They understand
others to do, especially when disciplining them. the necessity of sharing their message or vision
2. Encourage people, and hold faultfinding to a with others who can help them make their visions
minimum. A person, no matter what his or her a reality.
station in life is, performs better under a spirit of
approval than criticism.
3. Believe the best in people. By believing in
them, you encourage them to do their best and
help them realize their potentials. About the Author:
4. Help others succeed. Their success is also
In 1985, John Maxwell founded
your success. The INJOY Group, a collection of
5. Give people the tools and skills they need to three distinct companies that
grow and develop. By believing in people and employ 200 people and provide
resources and services that help
helping them to believe in themselves, you people reach their personal and
establish a relationship in which everyone wins. leadership potential. In addition
to building a successful
organization, John has authored
more than thirty books, including
the New York Times best sellers
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of
IV. Qualities of an Effective Leader Leadership and Failing Forward.

Leadership sets the standard in any Called the nation's foremost expert on leadership, John was
organization. The higher the standard, the more born in central Ohio five and a half decades ago. He credits his
excellent leadership instincts and his early leadership training
effective the leadership is. Also, the kind of to his father, Melvin Maxwell, whom he followed into the
leadership in an organization has a tremendous ministry. For over twenty-five years, John led churches in
bearing on group relationships. Indiana, Ohio, and California.

In 1995, John began dedicating himself full-time to writing,

A. An Effective Leader Must Feel a Sense of speaking, and consulting. Each year he speaks live to more
Calling than 350,000 people. Known as a dynamic communicator, he is
in high demand on the topic of leadership, and he speaks to
Effective leaders feel a strong calling to lead and many American corporations and entrepreneurial
have a deep sense of responsibility. They are organizations. He also is a popular speaker for churches, non-
driven to declare an idea, point people in some profits, sports organizations, and television programs. In
addition, he dedicates time each year to teaching leadership
direction, or lead others on a mission. internationally.

They don't quit. They also have the right John has earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees
and has also received five honorary doctorates. He lives in
answers. They stand out and tend to reproduce Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife of over thirty years and enjoys
other “called leaders.” In addition, called leaders spending time with his two grown children and his
have the ability to speak to the times and issues. grandchildren.

Two of John's favorite books are How to Win Friends &

Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and As a Man Thinketh by
B. An Effective Leader Must Be Able to James Allen.
Communicate To k n o w m o r e a b o u t t h e a u t h o r, p l e a s e v i s i t
Effective leaders are able to visually and http://www.injoy.com

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 4 of 8

 C. An Effective Leader Is Creative Handling 3. Content. What must you say to get the
Problems needed response?
Effective leaders know how to use a crisis or 4. Conviction. How should you convey the
problem to their advantage. Instead of throwing message to other people?
their hands in defeat, they are able to use a 5. Conclusion. What steps do you need to
crisis as an opportunity for change. take?

D. An Effective Leader Is a Generous B. Place Yourself in the Other Person's Shoes

Contributor If you want to persuade people to your view, start
True leaders are servants. Effective leaders where they are and work from that position. By
are great givers and they give freely. putting yourself in their “shoes,” you develop a
sensitivity to their needs. This allows you to better
address the issues concerning them.
E. An Effective Leader Acts Consistently
Effective leaders must be consistent in three Ask people about the things that are important to
areas: people, principles, and projects. They them. Also, take into account their feelings about
must be consistent in their dealings with people an issue. On top of that, inquire into their needs
– this helps build security. They must be and expectations. Remember, you can get
consistent in their principles - this provides everything that you want in life if you help people
direction. Last but not least, they must be get what they want.
consistent in their projects - this builds morale.

C. Focus on the Problem

Always deal with the issues only; try to get all the
unwanted emotions out of any issue. This
establishes a base of trust which is crucial in any
V. The Art of Motivating People relationship. Failure to recognize and handle
for their Benefit problems at the outset only creates credibility gap
An effective leader must learn to motivate and and negative feelings.
persuade people. They must learn to speak to
the heart, not only to the head. At the same Equally important, proceed bravely when
time, an effective leader must learn how to advancing a point of view persuasively.
draw out the best in people. Remember, effective-risk taking leadership
happen when there is conviction and confidence
in the persuader.
A. How to Establish and Accomplish Goals
To persuade is to use “sweetness” to get
people to do things for you out of their own D. Appeal to a Higher Vision
volition. However, you need to know exactly Make people understand and empathize with the
what it is that you want to accomplish before human values represented by your position. In
you can persuade others. You also need to doing so, you will be able to arouse the crucial
determine what you are willing to give up in emotions in people that will give birth to the kind of
achieving your goal. Finally, you need to response you are seeking. You simply help people
implement your plans and work hard in become what they really want to be whenever you
achieving your goal. Keep in mind the Five appeal to a higher vision.
“C's” when trying to motivate or persuade
people:
1. Consideration. What is the needed D. Be Enthusiastic When Persuading
response? Approaching an issue objectively is usually the
2. Credibility. What must you do to get it? best way to convince people to your view;

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 5 of 8

 however, when all else fails be enthusiastic in are incapable of determining the heartbeat of
your arguments. Nevertheless, know when to others.
stop. The number one reason why most people
lose an argument is that they do not know when Nonetheless, do not consider them a lost
to quit. Incessantly hammering the person you cause. They are often extremely intelligent
are trying to convince will only produce and creative, and they usually work best
resentment toward you. alone. Just find the key to their uniqueness
and capitalize on it.

Ÿ The “Volcano”
VI. Loving Difficult People These people tend to be unapproachable
because of their explosive, unpredictable
Learn to understand and help people with personality type. It is stressful working with
difficult personalities. Be responsible in the way them for you cannot predict what might set
you treat others. More importantly, be them off.
responsible for how you treat or react to those
around you. You cannot choose how people In dealing with “Volcanoes,” calmness is the
treat you, but you can choose how you respond key. Try to get the facts straight and minimize
to them. exaggerations or eliminate hearsays from the
conversation. Then, give them a soft, clear
answer and hold them accountable for the
Understanding the Different Personality things they say and the people they hurt.
Types
Ÿ The “Sherman Tank” Ÿ The “Thumb Suckers”
These people intimidate others because of These people are full of self-pity. They are
their “I'm right, you're wrong” attitude. They are often moody and pout to get what they want.
often aggressive and hostile in their relations, They also use pouting as a leverage to
and people are apt to fight with them because manipulate people.
“tanks” are insensitive and hard to reason with.
To handle “thumb suckers,” make them aware
To deal with them, first consider this person's of the fact that moodiness is a choice. They
influence and the issue at hand. If the issue is can change all that if they choose to do so.
not worth fighting over, do not confront them
about it. Nevertheless, if a confrontation is It may also help if you expose them to people
unavoidable, be direct and meet the specific who have real problems. It may cause them to
issues head-on. see themselves in a different light and create a
positive change in them.
Ÿ The “Space Cadet”
These people live in their own worlds. They do Above all, never give them the opportunity to
not respond to motivations and frustration is the exhibit their negative attitudes publicly. Ignore
normal feeling which you get when working with them when they are pouting.
these people. Typically, they are people you
label as “weird.” Ÿ The “Wet Blanket”
These people are the classic negative
If you have to work with them, do not evaluate thinkers. They are always down and find
your leadership by their response. In fact, do problems in everything. Likewise, they do not
not even ask their opinion about something take responsibility for their negative attitude
because chances are, you will just get an off- and behavior; instead they just keep making
the-wall answer. Similarly, do not place them in excuses.
teams or positions of leadership because they

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 6 of 8

 To help these people, it is important that you do VII. Learning to Handle Criticism
not provide them the opportunity to make
excuses. Kindly, yet firmly tell them that their Leaders and change agents are the two
attitude is hindering the group's progress. kinds of people who are most susceptible to
criticism -- leaders because they stand
In addition, point out to them that you are apart from the crowd; change agents
confident in their abilities, but if they do not because they bring unwelcome and
change their attitudes and behavior you will uncomfortable change in people's lives.
have to let them go.
Develop a positive attitude towards
 The “Garbage Collector” criticism, so you can be more relaxed when
These people have totally surrendered their confronted with it. Surround yourself with
lives to negative emotions. They love to positive people. Also, learn to laugh at
rehearse and replay the injuries they suffered yourself. Remember, the best of people
from other people. They hold on to their injuries also gets criticized.
and nurse their wounded spirits like it was a sick
puppy. Moreover, learn to look beyond the criticism
and see the critic. Sometimes knowing who
In handling people with this personality type, the critic is will help you determine whether
confront them about the way they try to to pay the criticism its due attention or not.
represent other people. When they tell you However, be wary of crowds behind the
about the many people who feel that way too, critic. It might be more prudent to take heed
ask them to name names. This one question of them.
takes out the “stink” in their declarations
because it usually boils down to one or two Furthermore, when receiving criticism
individuals who share their affinity for garbage. concentrate on changing your mistakes,
and not your mission. If you run from your
This generally makes them realize that their task each time you are criticized, you sz will
statements are mere generalizations and never accomplish anything.
exaggerations. In some extreme cases, it may
be necessary to destroy their credibility to the On the other hand, when it is you who is
decision-making body. giving the criticism check your motives.
Never attack the person. Always focus your
 The “User” critique on the problem. Be specific and be
These people manipulate others for their own sure to confront people when the time is
gain. They avoid responsibility, while demand right. Above all, always sandwich criticism
time and energy from others. They often use the between praise at the beginning and
“guilt trick” to get what they want. encouragement at the end.

Set a predetermined limit on how far you are

willing to help them. What's more, require
responsibility from them and make them VIII. Developing a Winning Team
answerable for some job. Most of all, never feel
obligated to them or guilty for not feeling Unity of purpose is the glue that holds
obligated. If you let them push your guilt button, teams together. It is the key to successful
they will definitely take advantage of your teamwork. To build a successful team, all
weakness. members must share a common goal,
which must be communicated to each and
everyone in the team.

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 7 of 8

 A. The Major Attributes of a Winning
Team
1. They play to win.
2. They take risks. One must risk
failure to win.
3. They keep on improving. They
become better persons in the process.
4. Each member cares about the
success of every other member.

B.Three Key Areas that Determine a

Team's Success
1. Hire the Right People. It is the
leader's job to ensure that only the right
kind of people gets hired. Bear in mind
that the quality of an organization's
staff is its most important feature.
When hiring staff, use this formula to
RATE individuals: Relationship +
Attitude x Talent + Expectation =
Production
2. Dismiss/fire workers only after
careful and prayerful consideration. Do
it tactfully and be sure to have strong,
solid grounds for dismissing workers. If
possible, assist with their transition
towards their new life.
3. Inspire your people to work
together as a team and to aspire for a
common goal. Motivate the team by
continually reminding the team of the
overall vision and the importance of
accomplishing that goal.

ABOUT BUSINESSSUMMARIES BusinessSummaries.com is a business book Summaries service. Every week, it sends out to
subscribers a 9- to 12-page summary of a best-selling business book chosen from among the hundreds of books printed out in
the United States. Summaries are available in PDF, PDA, HTML, Powerpoint and Audio formats. For more information, please
go to http://www.bizsum.com.

DO YOU LIKE THIS SUMMARY but not a member yet? Subscribe now and learn the latest business trends in minutes from book
summaries of today’s business bestsellers. Simply go to http://www.bizsum.com/offer01.htm.

Be a People Person by John Maxwell 8 of 8