People Skills: 31 Skills to Improve Communication and Everyday Relationships

by Debra Fileta

Every interaction is an opportunity to reflect God’s love with greater wisdom, humility, and intention.Our technology-saturated and social media–connected world has made it harder to engage in healthy, meaningful, real-life interactions. But we were made for connection―and there are practical skills that can help you communicate with greater care and deepen your relationships.From bestselling author and licensed therapist Debra Fileta, People Skills offers 31 transformational social skills that will strengthen your interpersonal relationships and create meaningful interactions.Rooted in Scripture and informed by science and psychology, this book will help youunderstand the impact of first impressions, body language, and everyday conversation habitslearn how to apologize, forgive, and engage in healthy conflict resolutiondeal with rejection, comparison, and difficult people with wisdomrecognize how screens affect your relationships and practice being fully present
Each chapter includes a “Take Ownership” reflection to help you evaluate your patterns, identify one area for growth, and take a practical step forward. Instead of overwhelming you with theory, each lesson helps you apply one clear skill to everyday life.Whether you’re in leadership, ministry, or business―or simply looking to strengthen your connections―this guide will empower you to improve your relationships and become a more effective conduit of God’s love. Increase your people skills, love better, and make every interaction count!

Genres: Self Help, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Read for work) Good book! It felt like a bit of a repeat of a lot of things I've already heard or read in other books. But, she writes well and she shares things we could always use to hear again.

[Hillary Etheridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

People Skills by Debra Fileta is truly a must-read for anyone who ever interacts with… well, people. And since that’s all of us, this one belongs on just about every bookshelf.

Each chapter is packed with practical wisdom about relating, connecting, communicating, and genuinely loving people well. What I appreciated most is how each chapter focuses on a different theme, yet they all tie together so seamlessly.

While Debra’s faith shapes much of her perspective, this book is beneficial regardless of where you stand spiritually. The principles are grounded in real-life psychology and relationship dynamics. These are genuine tips, practical mindset shifts, and tangible tools to both deal with people and love them well. There is even a chapter on dealing with difficult people.

One of my favorite things about this book is how digestible it is. The chapters are short enough that you could easily read one or two a day and immediately start implementing what you’re learning. And at the end of each chapter are reflection questions that help you dig into your triggers, better understand yourself, and identify what you could do differently. It honestly feels like free therapy, which makes sense, since Debra is a licensed professional counselor.

The chapters read like a conversation with a wise friend . They’re honest, compassionate, and straightforward.

This is one of those books I’ll keep on my shelf and return to when I need a reset or refresh in how I’m showing up in my relationships.

[Rebecca Coram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed People Skills by Debra Fileta. I was deeply convicted by her loving but firm reminder that our past traumas, while real, cannot become excuses for our current behaviors in relationships. She masterfully bridges the gap between psychological insight and spiritual truth, weaving Jesus and Scripture into the core of her advice. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to break unhealthy patterns and grow in their capacity to love others well. With gratitude—RC

[Jennifer Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I like Debra’s use of short chapters, and her end of chapter reflection questions. There wasn’t much new information in this book for me, but it is a resource I am already using with clients. It’s sad how much our people skills have decreased.

[Kayla Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Debra’s books! This book is such a resource, and I am excited to recommend it to others!

[Destiny Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I’ve heard a lot of this before, but I really liked that all of it was rooted in scripture!

[Rachel MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would recommend 👏🏼👏🏼 I listened to the audiobook but now am IMMEDIATELY requesting a physical copy because WOW. I need to write, underline, journal, contemplate, apply.. all the stuff!

[Brittany Lauterbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bite size chapters for easy reading of different topics/skills. Love that.
It’s definitely common content, but it is rooted in scripture which makes it more thought provoking to apply to your life.

[Elly Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everybody should read! 🥰

[Courtney Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra is one of my favorite authors. She just has a way with it. I saw her speak at a conference and she has such an impact. I highly recommend this and her other book "Soul Care"

[Sam]

Warning not to start a book without doing proper research on it first. This is Christian pseudoscience masquerading as psychology and social science. DNF.

[David Seguin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is A very helpful in understanding why we do things and helps us change things you get a lot of fantastic tips to help see why you do things it’s really easy to understand in lay man’s terms and it helps you with face to face communication it’s a must read