How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Fundamentals in Handling People

1. Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain
2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.

6 Ways to Make People Like You

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile.
3. Remember that person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
6. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.

How to Win People in Your Way of Thinking

1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say ‘you’re wrong’..
3. If you’re wrong, admit it quickly and empathetically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Get the person to saying ‘yes’ ‘yes’ immediately.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
8. Try to honestly see things from the other person’s point of view.
9. Be sympathetic to the other person’s ideas and desires.
10. Appeal to a nobler motive.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.

Be A Leader

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and every improvement “Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise”.
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Wow, if even each person did one of these categories, imagine the repercussions around the world that would be. It starts with one – you – a ripple in the pond and it would spread. And I think to myself - what a wonderful world. :)

Merry Christmas everyone!