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Social skillsself-help books are a good option for those withsocial anxiety disorder (SAD)who want to improve their interpersonal functioning. These books cover a wide range of topics including body language, effective speaking, and general people skills. Just like self-help books for anxiety, those for interpersonal skills should be chosen carefully.In a 2008 study, it was determined that thebest self-help bookshave similar qualities. These include being grounded in science (what we call “evidence-based”), realistic in terms of what you are promised (should not promise a “cure”), detailed in the guidance that is offered, and not providing any inaccurate or false information (what’s called “doing no harm”).
Social skillsself-help books are a good option for those withsocial anxiety disorder (SAD)who want to improve their interpersonal functioning. These books cover a wide range of topics including body language, effective speaking, and general people skills. Just like self-help books for anxiety, those for interpersonal skills should be chosen carefully.
In a 2008 study, it was determined that thebest self-help bookshave similar qualities. These include being grounded in science (what we call “evidence-based”), realistic in terms of what you are promised (should not promise a “cure”), detailed in the guidance that is offered, and not providing any inaccurate or false information (what’s called “doing no harm”).
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How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
Courtesy of Amazon
Tips cover topics such as first impressions,small talk, body language, and rapport. Lowndes writes in an entertaining and direct way, even giving her tips catchy names so that you will remember them, such as “Rubberneck the Room.”
2PeopleSmart: Developing Your Personal IntelligenceCourtesy of AmazonPeopleSmartis a practical guide to improving your interpersonal effectiveness in both professional and personal relationships. This book presents a four-step plan for improving eight key interpersonal skills using examples, tools, and exercises.
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PeopleSmart: Developing Your Personal IntelligenceCourtesy of AmazonPeopleSmartis a practical guide to improving your interpersonal effectiveness in both professional and personal relationships. This book presents a four-step plan for improving eight key interpersonal skills using examples, tools, and exercises.
PeopleSmart: Developing Your Personal Intelligence
PeopleSmartis a practical guide to improving your interpersonal effectiveness in both professional and personal relationships. This book presents a four-step plan for improving eight key interpersonal skills using examples, tools, and exercises.
3How to Instantly Connect With AnyoneCourtesy of AmazonInHow to Instantly Connect with Anyone, Leil Lowndes describes how to harness the power of a concept known as an emotional prediction for success in business and personal relationships. Research-based techniques are provided to help you make an impression and command respect in all areas of your life.
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How to Instantly Connect With AnyoneCourtesy of AmazonInHow to Instantly Connect with Anyone, Leil Lowndes describes how to harness the power of a concept known as an emotional prediction for success in business and personal relationships. Research-based techniques are provided to help you make an impression and command respect in all areas of your life.
How to Instantly Connect With Anyone
InHow to Instantly Connect with Anyone, Leil Lowndes describes how to harness the power of a concept known as an emotional prediction for success in business and personal relationships. Research-based techniques are provided to help you make an impression and command respect in all areas of your life.
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Conversationally Speaking
5The Fine Art of Small TalkCourtesy of AmazonThe Fine Art of Small Talkoffers tips from communications expert Debra Fine about making better small talk. Included are strategies and techniques to help you avoid awkward silences, improve yourlisteningability, and start conversations. While this book veers into etiquette territory, it will still be useful for those suffering from social anxiety.
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The Fine Art of Small TalkCourtesy of AmazonThe Fine Art of Small Talkoffers tips from communications expert Debra Fine about making better small talk. Included are strategies and techniques to help you avoid awkward silences, improve yourlisteningability, and start conversations. While this book veers into etiquette territory, it will still be useful for those suffering from social anxiety.
The Fine Art of Small Talk
The Fine Art of Small Talkoffers tips from communications expert Debra Fine about making better small talk. Included are strategies and techniques to help you avoid awkward silences, improve yourlisteningability, and start conversations. While this book veers into etiquette territory, it will still be useful for those suffering from social anxiety.
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People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others and Resolve Conflicts
The author examines the 12 most common barriers to communication that damage relationships and how to overcome them. Strategies offered cover areas such as listening skills, assertiveness, conflict resolution, and how to use silence effectively (yes, it’s sometimes a tool rather than the result of anxiety).
7The Definitive Book of Body LanguageCourtesy of AmazonThe Definitive Book of Body Languageis a guide to understanding and learning how to better managenonverbal communication behaviors. Included are tips on how to read other’s emotions and thoughts through theirbody languageand how to ensure you are sending the right signals with your own body language.As most of what you say is transmitted through your body and tone of voice, mastering the art of body language should be top on your list when working on interpersonal skills.
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The Definitive Book of Body LanguageCourtesy of AmazonThe Definitive Book of Body Languageis a guide to understanding and learning how to better managenonverbal communication behaviors. Included are tips on how to read other’s emotions and thoughts through theirbody languageand how to ensure you are sending the right signals with your own body language.As most of what you say is transmitted through your body and tone of voice, mastering the art of body language should be top on your list when working on interpersonal skills.
The Definitive Book of Body Language
The Definitive Book of Body Languageis a guide to understanding and learning how to better managenonverbal communication behaviors. Included are tips on how to read other’s emotions and thoughts through theirbody languageand how to ensure you are sending the right signals with your own body language.
As most of what you say is transmitted through your body and tone of voice, mastering the art of body language should be top on your list when working on interpersonal skills.
8Dale Carnegie’s Lifetime Plan for SuccessCourtesy of AmazonThis volume combines two of motivational author Dale Carnegie’s best-selling books:How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleandHow to Stop Worrying and Start Living. If you are going to purchase any books on this topic, Carnegie’s works have stood the test of time and are well worth a read.How to Win Friends and Influence Peoplehandles topics such as dealing with people, becoming a better speaker, and attracting friends.How to Stop Worrying and Start Livingexplores how to avoid the emotional upset and reduce worry in your life. Though written over 60 years ago, both books are still relevant today.
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Dale Carnegie’s Lifetime Plan for SuccessCourtesy of AmazonThis volume combines two of motivational author Dale Carnegie’s best-selling books:How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleandHow to Stop Worrying and Start Living. If you are going to purchase any books on this topic, Carnegie’s works have stood the test of time and are well worth a read.How to Win Friends and Influence Peoplehandles topics such as dealing with people, becoming a better speaker, and attracting friends.How to Stop Worrying and Start Livingexplores how to avoid the emotional upset and reduce worry in your life. Though written over 60 years ago, both books are still relevant today.
Dale Carnegie’s Lifetime Plan for Success
This volume combines two of motivational author Dale Carnegie’s best-selling books:How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleandHow to Stop Worrying and Start Living. If you are going to purchase any books on this topic, Carnegie’s works have stood the test of time and are well worth a read.
How to Win Friends and Influence Peoplehandles topics such as dealing with people, becoming a better speaker, and attracting friends.
How to Stop Worrying and Start Livingexplores how to avoid the emotional upset and reduce worry in your life. Though written over 60 years ago, both books are still relevant today.
A Word From VerywellWhere should you start? That depends on where you want to end up. Perhaps begin with Dale Carnegie or Leil Lowndes, depending on whether you want big-picture ideas or specific tips and tricks. From there, you can move on to different aspects of interpersonal skills such as body language and small talk.Whatever you do, be sure that you actually try to practice what you read in these books. While it may be tempting to revert back to your previous behavior, going back to old habits won’t help you move forward. Make it a game if you have to, and give yourself a reward every time you use a strategy out of one of these books.
A Word From Verywell
Where should you start? That depends on where you want to end up. Perhaps begin with Dale Carnegie or Leil Lowndes, depending on whether you want big-picture ideas or specific tips and tricks. From there, you can move on to different aspects of interpersonal skills such as body language and small talk.
Whatever you do, be sure that you actually try to practice what you read in these books. While it may be tempting to revert back to your previous behavior, going back to old habits won’t help you move forward. Make it a game if you have to, and give yourself a reward every time you use a strategy out of one of these books.
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Redding RE, Herbert JD, Forman EM, Gaudiano BA.Popular self-help books for anxiety, depression, and trauma: How scientifically grounded and useful are they?Prof Psychol Res Pr.2018;39(5):537-545. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.5.537Gao H.Nonverbal Communication in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning-On the Importance of Body Language.ASSEHR.2017;95:78-81. doi:10.2991/iceemr-17.2017.19
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Redding RE, Herbert JD, Forman EM, Gaudiano BA.Popular self-help books for anxiety, depression, and trauma: How scientifically grounded and useful are they?Prof Psychol Res Pr.2018;39(5):537-545. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.5.537Gao H.Nonverbal Communication in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning-On the Importance of Body Language.ASSEHR.2017;95:78-81. doi:10.2991/iceemr-17.2017.19
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Redding RE, Herbert JD, Forman EM, Gaudiano BA.Popular self-help books for anxiety, depression, and trauma: How scientifically grounded and useful are they?Prof Psychol Res Pr.2018;39(5):537-545. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.5.537Gao H.Nonverbal Communication in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning-On the Importance of Body Language.ASSEHR.2017;95:78-81. doi:10.2991/iceemr-17.2017.19
Redding RE, Herbert JD, Forman EM, Gaudiano BA.Popular self-help books for anxiety, depression, and trauma: How scientifically grounded and useful are they?Prof Psychol Res Pr.2018;39(5):537-545. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.5.537
Gao H.Nonverbal Communication in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning-On the Importance of Body Language.ASSEHR.2017;95:78-81. doi:10.2991/iceemr-17.2017.19
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