How to Get Along With Almost Anyone: A Complete Guide to Building Positive Relationships With Family, Friends, Coworkers

by H. Norman Wright

Wright offers practical, step-by-step advice to help us all handle the different -- & difficult -- people in our lives. Using an anecdotal & thought-provoking style, he shows how to translate biblical wisdom into practical guidelines for relating to those around us. Some of the topics he discusses relating to others without denying your own personality; learning to respond to criticism constructively; becoming a good listener; dealing with negative people; & handling relatives. This book is filled with case histories, dialogue, self-inventories & practical suggestions for building loving & lasting relationships.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

164 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

H. Norman Wright is a well-respected Christian counselor who has helped thousands of people improve their relationships and deal with grief, tragedy, and other concerns. He helps couples bring vibrancy to their relationships through counseling, seminars, and more than 90 books, including Before You Say “I Do” and After You Say “I Do.” Norm also reveals insights for spiritual growth, great relationships, and success in devotionals that include Strong to the Core, Quiet Times for Every Parent, and Truly Devoted: What Dogs Teach Us About Life, Love, and Loyalty. www.hnormanwright.com

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grabbed this book off the free shelf at the library in hopes that it might help me with my prickly relationship with my brother. The author began by stating that his book wasn't anything earth-shattering and was simple but good advice that could be put to use practically. The main focus was mostly on changing our reactions to those who frustrate us and this is mainly how I learned to get along with my brother - instead of getting angry or engaging with him, I have learned not to engage by changing the subject, not getting involved in a conversation or trying to politely walk away. Honestly though, there really wasn't anything I learned from the book to help me that I haven't already tried to do. I get along with most everyone else I meet so I think I am a pretty easy person to get along with on a regular basis.

The story of the teacher, Miss Thompson and her student, Teddy broke my heart and it is so true how much a person can make a difference in a child's like by what they say to them and how they treat them! Sigh!

Funny too that I read this book after watching "Big Miracle" with my children and the author mentioned these trapped whales in his book too! Had I read the book before the movie I probably would have breezed over it but instead, it really jumped out at me. Neither my husband or I remember this event from 1988. All I remember for 1988 (or was is 1989?) was the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Quote I liked:

p. 36 - "Your mind is kind of like that apartment (hand-me down things when we first move out on our own). As a young adult many of your thoughts and ideas about yourself were hand-me-downs from your parents, friends, teachers and others who influenced you while you were growing up. Some of those thoughts may have been negative, critical, and even sinful. As you have grown older these thoughts have hindered you from maintaining a good self-image and getting along with yourself. But you can't just empty your mind of negative thoughts. You cannot live in a mental vacuum. You must replace old, negative, critical hand-me-down thoughts with positive biblical thoughts."

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has good insight on how to get along better with others. In chapter 2, he notes that we need to get along with ourselves first. I found many good insights in how I treat myself and how that is reflected in how I treat others. One downside to this book is that the author gives a very broad view of dysfunctional or strained relationships with some counsel on how to change, but I think the impact of the book would have been better if he had limited the scope of the book. In addition, the author includes many references from The Amplified Bible.

[Sarah Edell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more of a wordy pamphlet than a book. You can read it in an hour. Good advice, though, especially for new managers.

[Jeffrey Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why can't we just all get along? Well, we all come from different places and bring various baggage with us. I am interested in healthy communication with people, and that is practically impossible if I just can't get along with them. The reader of this book should find it possible to get along with even the most cranky. A nice side benefit is the book helped me to identify some of my own behaviors which interfere with healthy communication and relationships. Nice book.