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Book Review: Working Relationships Using Emotional Intelligence to Enhance your Effectiveness with Others By Bob Wall Marcia Fortley, Relationship Manager/Marketing Manager, The Anderson Group Rating:  
At some point in your career, you’ve encountered that co-worker or boss who irritates or frustrates you. It can be for any number of reasons. They are defensive or unrealistically demanding. They are indecisive or in it for themselves. It could be they are simply negative or rude or loud. Or, maybe so passive you just want to shake some excitement into them. Whatever the cause is—he or she is difficult to work with, work for, or supervise.
But, what if that person is you? You don’t see yourself as bossy or unapproachable or indifferent. You always go out of your way for others. You always say “please” and “thank you.” But, the truth is, we never see ourselves the way others see us—especially in a business setting. And while the truth can be eye-opening, humbling and upsetting, it also can be a productive learning experience—if you allow it to be. We like to say we don’t care what others think, but in an office setting you really do need to care if you want to be more effective.
In Bob Wall’s book, Working Relationships, he approaches the topic of managing conflict and developing teamwork with frankness and simplicity. He delves into Adele B. Lynn’s model of emotional intelligence of self-awareness, empathy, social expertness, personal influence, and mastery of purpose of vision with clarity and purpose. He offers real-life situations to demonstrate his methods, and covers everything from how to handle the personal challenges of working relationships to team development to how you can make a difference in your professional demeanor to get results.
I was intrigued how he identified almost every challenging person I’d ever dealt with in a professional job situation. At the same time, the lesson of personal change was not lost on me. The book helped me identify the things I know I need to work on, and gave me solid ideas how to approach making the changes.
My favorite part of the book was the exercises. In almost every chapter, Wall offers challenging questions, which if honestly answered, will almost guarantee you will become a better co-worker or manager—or person. Yes, this book can certainly do dual-duty and reflect positively into your personal life.
This book is a “must” if you are grappling with relationship challenges at work. (It’s also a must even if you think you get along with everyone at work and think life is grand.) You will discover practical ways to improve your working relationships and it will give you hope that people, including yourself, can change—if you really want to and have the courage. Rating: Similar to other books on the subject. Disappointing. Would not recommend.
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