An incredible book, written a long time ago (1936), about the importance of how you interact with other humans, what drives them, and how, as the title suggests, to win friends, influence people, and generally help people get the most out of themselves and as part of a team. A must read for any business person, entrepreneur, or human.
Favorite Quote(s)
"It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it." ~ Dale Carnegie
"Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn, and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving." ~ Dale Carnegie
Key Takeaways
- Don't criticize, condemn, or complain. It puts people on the defensive and rarely changes anything.
- Give sincere praise and recognition often. It's the single best way to keep people productive and happy, just make sure it's genuine, not flattery.
- See things from the other person's point of view before you try to get them to do anything.
- Become genuinely interested in other people, and remember that a person's own name is the sweetest sound they'll ever hear.
- Be a good listener. Most people care about their own life and problems far more than they care about yours.
- You can't win an argument. The only way to get the best of one is to avoid it, and if you're wrong, admit it immediately and emphatically.