Bringing Out the Best in People: How to Enjoy Helping Others Excel

by Alan Loy McGinnis

Originally published in 1985, this bestselling, essential book about management and motivation has over 1 million copies in print and remains relevant for today. Alan Loy McGinnis, author of the award-winning, international bestseller The Friendship Factor, studied great leaders throughout history, the most effective organizations of modern times, and prominent psychologists to culminate a wealth of motivational tips and ideas. In this book are 12 practical principles to help anyone -- parent, manager, teacher, friend -- motivate, inspire, influence, and build enthusiasm. Mastering the art of motivation and improving relational habits isn't easy but McGinnis includes encouragement alongside real-life examples to relay life application for any scenario. Every chapter is a must-read with deeper revelations on specific topics and powerful ways to focus one's energy toward change and improvement. People management, team-building, individual assessment, goal setting, accountability, and dealing with trouble-makers are just a few of the topics covered in the highly accessible chapters. McGinnis' positive and strengths-based approach inspires momentous change, allowing individuality and input along the way. Bringing out the best starts with you, and then you can bring out the best in others.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Development, Communication

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Alan Loy McGinnis was an author, Christian psychotherapist, and founder and director of the Valley Counseling Center in Glendale, California, United States. Today there are over 3 million copies of his books in print. Wikipedia

Reviews

[KitCat · Rating 3 out of 5]

You are a manipulator when you try to persuade people to do something that is not in their best interests but is in yours. You are a motivator when you find goals that will be good for both sides, then weld together a high achieving, high morale partnership to achieve them.

(1) Expect the best from people you lead
(2) Make a thorough study of the other person's needs
(3) Establish high standards of excellence
(4) Create an environment where failure is not fatal
(5) Build inner drive
(6) Employ models to encourage success
(7) Recognize and applaud achievement
(8) Use positive and negative reinforcement
(9) Place a premium on collaboration
(10) Take steps to keep your own motivation high

[SteveR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons from the book.

Real winners succeed by learning the needs of other people, than appealing to those needs. Thomas Aquinas said, " When you want to convert a man to your view, you go over to where he is standing, take him by the hand and guide him."

The art of motivation is the heighting of emotion. It is appealing to the unconscious more than the conscious. The best way to appeal to emotions is by talking about people, their struggles, conflicts and eventual triumphs.

Carl Jung said, "When we uncover the unconscious, at the deepest level, we may find some aberrations and there may be some blackness, but it is our deepest self that is the source of all great art." Unlike Freud, Jung thought "the unconscious is the source of all things beautiful and creative," and "it is the point at which we meet God." If Jung is right, then one of the surest ways to keep motivation high is to keep open corridors between our conscious and unconscious mind.

There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being, to help someone else succeed. We lead best when we seek the welfare of those we lead, when we seek to serve rather than be served.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info! The book was sectioned off in bite-sized chunks, which helped me stay interested, and I was pleased to find the author applying a lot of his principles to parenting. I rated it only 4 stars & not 5 because it got a little dry at times. But all in all it, I really liked the material & the author's well-placed ancidotes. Good read for anyone in the workforce or the stay-at-home mom like me.

[Aziza Aouhassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Les 2 derniers chapitres sont une référence pour quiconque cherchant à se perfectionner.

[Elizabeth Truve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the author brought out a good sentence.
„ We lead best when we seek the welfare of those we lead, when we seek to serve rather than being served“

,, If we can, like Vince Lombardi, challenge our team/co-workers, challenge then to give extra 10%- they will try harder for us than for anyone in the world, and they will accomplish some surprising things. That extra 10% just may be the difference that wins the game“

The book itself has simple thoughts and not so much new but the way the author finished the book, was awesome!

[Lilly Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m seeing a pattern of books I’m getting from my mentors and honestly, this book teaches you really how to be kind and serve people and finding the good/best of people. Instead of being negative or dismissing people and their work, (that most likely have worked hard on) this book teaches you how to not do that. Not to be so hard on yourself, so you’re not hard on others. That’s what I can say.

[Kristen Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super easy to read with basic principals in little bite size chapters. The stories/examples provided gave a clear picture of the principle it was trying to get across

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book focuses on motivational factors and how those factors can help motive a team you may be managing. A lot of the techniques and ideas are sound and leave us nodding all while the crux of the management​ problem continues, which is that the manager is too busy with office work to effectively implement these types of recognitions. The other thing this does not take into account is the current idea that the boss does not need to know how to do your job to manage you. In order for this to be implemented that just could not be the case. While it is great in content and concept I see very little adoption simply because punishment is simple and does not require the effort needed. That said the boss that could follow this would be a dream to work for.

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book

Principled and practical, the book was well balanced with marvelous real-life examples of the insightful points brought out by McGinnis. Can’t recommend it enough! A must-read for leaders and teams especially, and everyone can get some really good life principles since... we all are interacting with our families, communities, and one another. Every chapter was useful, whether it be digging deeper revelations on a topic I thought I understood, to reminders on how to refocus my energies.
May you be blessed as I was.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

An oldie (1985) but a real good read on servant leadership principles. I like that the book was formatted in short easy bite size chunks. You can read one or two each morning! The book also includes marvelous real-life experiences. It is also a spiritual book as I would expect from servant leadership.

The basic theme is that leaders learn the needs of their team and strive to meet them. A simple, but powerful, book for those that are beginning their leadership journey.

[Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a practical, well-written, compassionate instruction on how to help people succeed. I found the real-life examples compelling and the advice timeless. Anyone in a position of leadership would benefit from reading and studying this book. That doesn't just go for business managers, but parents and teachers too - anyone who wants to be a positive influence on someone else's life. I highly recommend!!

[Billy Joel Pedroso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership is about motivating people to accomplish a goal or to fulfill a mission. Motivators can inspire either an individual or a group of people. This book equips everyone who wants to know how to succeed in becoming a leader, showing them the significance of giving praises, corrections and challenges, among others in motivating people. It’s a source of reliable leadership principles for leaders of any group or organization.

[Michael Pope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs to be updated

The book is a good read for a beginner in these areas and someone who needs spoon fed on these concepts and ideas. The book needs to be updated with more current examples of the times. Starts off good, middle and end slow down was hard to keep my interest an finish, but I did finish. read

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read McGinnis’ Confidence years ago and enjoying it I had been looking for a digital copy of another one of his books. Finally I found this one. This book is just as inspiring and thoughtful as I remembered the last one I read. Although some of the content is a little dated it is also still very applicable. If you enjoy self help books this is a good one.

[Angela Victorio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave many good points and inspirational examples. However starting from chapter 9 I started losing it. I jumped to chapter 10 and still no good. So I gave up. I understood the author’s points but didn’t like the way he is putting it. Rather another book Radical Candor brings out the same points but from a different way.

[An · Rating 4 out of 5]

"-the more I am convinced that human nature has often been sold short. I see the worst sides of thousands of people, yet I believe more than ever in the possibilities of the human spirit." - Alan Loy McGinnis, 1985.

[Michelle Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary

Alan's book is marvellous. It is nothing less than a masterpiece of spiritual power interwoven with insights far beyond normal comprehension. It is a must-read, and I'll be reeading, and re-reading this one.

[Charles Harris, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Must Read If You're In Leadership (which you are)

Amazing book on bringing out the best in you before you bring out the best in others.
This book helps put in perspective the importance of value to be extracted out of ppl for their own benefit. Incredible read!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read but is filled with so much wisdom. The 12 Rules for Bringing out the Best in People can be applied to any environment and any relationship. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a key to building better relationships!

[Mads Harbo Sørum · Rating 4 out of 5]

En hjørnestein innenfor tjenesteledelse og like relevant i dag som det den var ved utgivelsen for 38 år siden. Kort og presis samtidig som den inneholder en enorm mengde med informasjon. Bærer til tider preg av alderen og er noe tørr til tider, som trekker ned fra toppkarakter.

[Kaitlin Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I read when I started my first management position. I left management but if I ever decide to go back to it, this one was good enough to where I would want to re-read it before I started back in it again to keep the messages fresh.

[Peter Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about the importance of genuinely caring about others think all of people skills revolves around caring about the other person. Definitely recommend to anyone looking to improve in relationships and people skills.

[Bojan Avramovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odlicna knjiga o liderstvu. Dala mi je ideje kako postupati u situacijama kada zaposleni ne radi na nivou koji je potreban. A i kako I kada pohvaliti I podrzati ponasanja koja su u skladu sa vrednostima kompanije

[James Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book for anyone who aspires to be a leader. This is a great tool for anyone in a leadership position to read and review on a regular basis.

[Marc Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent balance of science (psychology) and art in helping others be their best selves. Many practical tips and ways of thinking that can be put into practice immediately.

[Keira · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was very helpful and great and it has proven that you can conquer anything and help anyone

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book that details the how to encourage people to always to their best. I highly recommend it to every who is a manager, or anyone who deals a lot with people.

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great book for those wanting to become a better person and have a better sense of what leadership is. Recommend to anyone seeking knowledge of leadership.

[Bhavin G · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the exceptional books. A must read for every leader.

[Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alot of useful maxims to live by. If practiced well and regularly, could play a big role in improving your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you.