Significantly expanded, yet still supremely clear and accessible, the third edition of People Skills is an essential guide to the basic knowledge and skills needed for effective practice in the 'people professions' – that is, those occupations that involve dealing with people and their problems. It covers an extensive range of topics underpinning the work of a wide variety of staff, identifying key issues of concern to students, practitioners and managers.
The book is divided into three parts. Part I stresses the importance of personal effectiveness skills, while Part II concentrates on the skills involved in personal interactions. Part III has as its focus the skills of intervention – agreeing what needs to be done and taking the necessary steps to make it happen. A central feature of the book is its emphasis on the need for issues of equality and diversity to be integrated into all aspects of practice.
This thoroughly revised edition includes six entirely new chapters on:
• Being creative
• Being realistic
• Leadership
• Multidisciplinary working
• Risk assessment
• Responding to trauma
It is essential reading for everyone working, or training to work, with people and their problems and will be invaluable in such diverse fields as health care; social work and social care; community and youth work; criminal justice; counselling, pastoral care and advice work; as well as management, supervision and human resources.
Review of first edition:
'The book is practical and easy to read, with usable and useful exercises that can be handled on a personal basis or by individuals who are either experienced or inexperienced in managing or supervising staff... It is a book that can be read in its entirety or can be 'dipped into' a chapter at a time, as the need arises.'
- Peter Moon, Managing Director, Professional Personnel Consultants Ltd.
Review of second edition:
'I strongly recommend the book and believe it would be helpful reading for social work students about to embark on their first practicum.'
- John Dawes, Australian Social Work Journal
Introduction
PART I: PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Self-awareness
Time Management
Stress Management
Information Management
Assertiveness
Beating the Bully
Using Supervision
Being Creative
Continuous Professional Development
Staying Positive
PART II: INTERACTION SKILLS
Valuing Diversity
Verbal Communication
Non-verbal Communication
Written Communication
Interviewing
Influencing Skills
Leadership
Handling Feelings
Handling Conflict
Multidisciplinary working
PART III: INTERVENTION SKILLS
Anti-discriminatory Practice
Being Systematic
Assessment
Planning
Decision-making
Managing Risk
Review and Evaluation
Ending
Responding to Trauma: Promoting Recovery and Healing
Reflective Practice
Conclusion
Further Reading
Guide for Tutors and Trainers
References
Index
NEIL THOMPSON is a highly respected writer, teacher and adviser, with over 32 years’ experience in the people professions. He has held full or honorary professorships at four UK universities, and is now a sought-after trainer, consultant and conference speaker. He is the editor-in-chief of two online communities (Well-being Zone: www.well-beingzone.com and Social Work Focus: www.socialworkfocus.com). His personal website is at www.neilthompson.info.
Description
Significantly expanded, yet still supremely clear and accessible, the third edition of People Skills is an essential guide to the basic knowledge and skills needed for effective practice in the 'people professions' – that is, those occupations that involve dealing with people and their problems. It covers an extensive range of topics underpinning the work of a wide variety of staff, identifying key issues of concern to students, practitioners and managers.
The book is divided into three parts. Part I stresses the importance of personal effectiveness skills, while Part II concentrates on the skills involved in personal interactions. Part III has as its focus the skills of intervention – agreeing what needs to be done and taking the necessary steps to make it happen. A central feature of the book is its emphasis on the need for issues of equality and diversity to be integrated into all aspects of practice.
This thoroughly revised edition includes six entirely new chapters on:
• Being creative
• Being realistic
• Leadership
• Multidisciplinary working
• Risk assessment
• Responding to trauma
It is essential reading for everyone working, or training to work, with people and their problems and will be invaluable in such diverse fields as health care; social work and social care; community and youth work; criminal justice; counselling, pastoral care and advice work; as well as management, supervision and human resources.
Reviews
Review of first edition:
'The book is practical and easy to read, with usable and useful exercises that can be handled on a personal basis or by individuals who are either experienced or inexperienced in managing or supervising staff... It is a book that can be read in its entirety or can be 'dipped into' a chapter at a time, as the need arises.'
- Peter Moon, Managing Director, Professional Personnel Consultants Ltd.
Review of second edition:
'I strongly recommend the book and believe it would be helpful reading for social work students about to embark on their first practicum.'
- John Dawes, Australian Social Work Journal
Contents
Introduction
PART I: PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Self-awareness
Time Management
Stress Management
Information Management
Assertiveness
Beating the Bully
Using Supervision
Being Creative
Continuous Professional Development
Staying Positive
PART II: INTERACTION SKILLS
Valuing Diversity
Verbal Communication
Non-verbal Communication
Written Communication
Interviewing
Influencing Skills
Leadership
Handling Feelings
Handling Conflict
Multidisciplinary working
PART III: INTERVENTION SKILLS
Anti-discriminatory Practice
Being Systematic
Assessment
Planning
Decision-making
Managing Risk
Review and Evaluation
Ending
Responding to Trauma: Promoting Recovery and Healing
Reflective Practice
Conclusion
Further Reading
Guide for Tutors and Trainers
References
Index
Authors
NEIL THOMPSON is a highly respected writer, teacher and adviser, with over 32 years’ experience in the people professions. He has held full or honorary professorships at four UK universities, and is now a sought-after trainer, consultant and conference speaker. He is the editor-in-chief of two online communities (Well-being Zone: www.well-beingzone.com and Social Work Focus: www.socialworkfocus.com). His personal website is at www.neilthompson.info.
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