Book: "Get People to Do What You Want"

The book, Get People to do What You Want: How to Use Body Language and Words to Attract People You Like and Avoid the Ones You Don’t by Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch, is a book that teaches its readers about people’s needs, wants, and behaviors.  It teaches its readers how to manipulate and use those needs, wants, and behaviors to their own advantage in a business setting. 

In the book, a lot of psychology is reviewed. First, the book talks about Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.  It states that we first need fill our biological and physiological needs, then our safety needs, belonging and love needs, and then esteem needs in order to achieve self-actualization.  In terms of the business environment, the book states we are most driven by one of those needs, the need to belong.

In the work place, we strive to belong, and then after, we strive to differentiate.  This book teaches us how to recognize this and teaches us how to differentiate ourselves by making ourselves stand out in a work environment.  For example, the book teaches its readers how to be more charismatic and how to apply those charismatic traits in a work environment. 

The book also discusses how people become leaders and it tells us the difference between formal and informal leaders.  Formal leaders have the title, but informal leaders are natural leaders that come out of a group.  The book points out the qualities of leaders and tries to teach its readers how to become a great leader.  If you’re a formal leader, it teaches you how to make people respect and follow you.  If you are not a leader, it teaches you how to become a great informal leader.

The book, Get People to do What You Want, is a good and informational read that will help you achieve goals, learn to become a leader, and learn how to improve your work in your workplace.   

Book Reviewed by: Rachel Perey