Read People Like A Book: How to Analyze, Understand, and Predict People's Emotions, Thoughts, Intentions, and Behaviors
33 pages • 1-hour read
Patrick KingRead People Like A Book: How to Analyze, Understand, and Predict People's Emotions, Thoughts, Intentions, and Behaviors
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Discussion Questions
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Which fact or argument in the book was the most compelling to you? Why?
2. What was your main motivation for reading this work? Did it satisfy your curiosity or help you learn anything new?
3. How does this work compare with other social skills self-help books you have read, such as Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, or Robert Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to reflect on how the book relates to their own life or work and how its lessons could help them.
1. King argues that people must develop self-awareness before assessing others. Did this book make you reflect on your own role in any of your relationships or interactions? Explain.
2. Which area of your life might benefit from “people-reading” skills? How do you hope to use them?
3. The author offers a thorough overview of models of personality. Which personality types do you most identify with? How might that make you more compatible with or understandable to some people, and less with others?
4. Which key takeaway do you expect will be the most helpful to you as you engage with others? Have you tried it? What was your experience?
Real-World Relevance
Prompt readers to explore how the book fits into today’s professional or social landscape.
1. How does King approach the issue of people-reading? Consider his claims about gathering data while avoiding judgment or negativity. How does this approach fit in with contemporary cultural trends and norms?
2. Many people want to better understand others at work. Why might workplaces provide varied opportunities for people-reading? In your opinion, how can these skills be best used in the workplace?
Practical Applications
Encourage readers to share and consider how the book’s lessons could be applied to their personal/professional lives.
1. What are the strengths and limitations of people-reading in your particular workplace? Why? Which points from Read People Like A Book will be most useful to you in a professional setting?
2. Do you consciously “people-read” before making new friends or dating? What kinds of values, traits, or behaviors are you looking for in the other person? Has King’s work changed how you might approach this process?
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