Timeless Advice from Dale Carnegie

Photo: Liz Barrett

Last week I was looking for a new book to start reading and pulled one off the shelf that has moved with me from place to place since probably the early '90s. I don't think I ever finished it when I first started reading it all those years ago, but I'm now at a place where I can appreciate the lessons it holds.

I've come to realize that most people have heard of, read, or owned (and never read) "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It was published back in 1936, but the advice it holds still rings true today.

So, in the hopes of sparking a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, or maybe just inspiring people to be nicer to each other, I'm sharing a very abbreviated version of the principles from the book here. I chose Friday so that we can all go into the weekend prepared to win friends and influence people!

Techniques in Handling People
--Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
--Give honest and sincere appreciation.
--Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Ways to Make People Like You
--Become genuinely interested in other people.
--Smile!
--Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
--Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
--Make the other person feel important--and do it sincerely.

Win People to Your Way of Thinking
--The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
--Show respect for the other person's opinions and never say, "You're wrong."
--If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
--Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
--Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.

Be a Leader
--Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
--Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
--Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
--Let the other person save face.
--Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Do you have a favorite principle from the book? Let us know in the comments below.