 "Guaranteed Success and Maybe World Peace!" | 2009-10-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A146L0JWX6KKYJ |
The book this week is the best book I have read in a very long time! It was How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It genius in every aspect. If everyone on the planet reads this book and puts it into practice, we might just have world peace. Carnegie's words of wisdom are priceless, it was first published in 1934 and has been in print ever since!
The book is broken into four section and each section has between 3 to 12 lessons. I wish I could just publish the whole book in this blog, but I don't have enough room... instead I will choose a few lessons in each section and explain how they can be applied to your daily life.
Section 1 Techniques in Handling People
"Don't Criticize, Condemn, or Complain"- From time to time everyone get frustrated because of what someone else does... It might be at work, at home, or even driving (I sometimes get a bad case of road-rage). Carnegie has several stories about President Lincoln's life and one I particularly liked related to this lesson is about General Meade during the the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln gave orders to Meade to take immediate action against Lee's beaten and trapped army when they reached the Potomac. Meade did the exact opposite of Lincoln's orders and called council during war which gave enough time for Lee's army to escape. Lincoln was furious! If Meade had obeyed his order's the war would have been over right then and the course of history would have been changed forever! Lincoln was a conservative man in all aspects of his life. He wrote Meade a letter condemning his actions... He laid out all his distresses. However, Meade never got this letter, it wasn't found until after Lincoln was assassinated. Lincoln probably just put himself in Meade's shoes.. If he had just been through weeks of war, surrounded by blood and bullets of fallen comrades he wouldn't be rushing into another battle so abruptly. Sometimes you just have to consider the other person's perspective and it may give you world's of incite into why they acted the way they did and in Lincoln's case, maybe encourage you to reserve your complaint.
"Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation"- Give everyone the appreciation they deserve. Self-esteem is a great way to win someone's approval and friendship. Now, the mistake that is commonly made is giving flattery. Flattery is counterfeit, it's fake. If someone isn't something worth praising then don't say it. It will cause more harm then good. When you are a woman or man of your word you must make sure everything that comes out of your mouth is honest. If you stray from the truth then you will have a difficult time getting trust back from those around you.
Section 2 Making People Like You
"Remember Names"- Carnegie writes that "a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language" and it's very true. When I see someone I haven't seen in a long time and they come out and say "Hi Trevor, How are you?" they have almost won me right from the start. Just saying someone's name to them makes them happy. I try and make it a habit to remember people's name, especially people that provide a service: the guy I buy my suits from or all the people at the front desk of my apartment. I instantly see a difference in the service I get when I call them by name. You build a connection with people and it makes them happy. And if nothing else you should be trying to make other people happy- so give it a shot call people by name, and if you are introduced to someone try your best to remember their name... this is one huge key to building a great network.
"Smile"- It is a tough thing to do, but smiling will make you feel better and happier and it will make those around you happy too. Now don't do a crazy smile all day and scare people. Make an effort to produce a sincere smile and wear it proudly. It is a fantastic way to get through the day. When you meet people and you show some teeth, you will build and instant connection with that person because subconsciously you have made that person happier and when you make someone happy they want to be around you more. I actually have my latest fortune from my last Chinese meal taped above my desk, it reads: "Smile often, and see what happens."
Section 3 Win People to Your Way of Thinking
"Avoid Arguments"- This is absolutely number one. Carnegie makes a great point when he writes that "No one can ever win from an arguement." Even if you are the one that comes up with the most facts and crushes your opponent into seeing "your side." You have ultimately pushed that person farther away from you because you tore down their self-esteem. And as I said previously boosting self-esteem is a great way to win someone's approval and friendship, but tearing it down has the exact opposite affect 10-fold. Do everything in your power to avoid the argument. Use the following words as a template "I understand your point of view, I didn't look at it from that perspective. I got my facts from ________ and you got yours from ________. Please help me understand your side so we can resolve this." It is hard to think that clearly when you are in the heat of a debate, but just try and think. If you concede and hear the other person's side, you will ultimately bring that person closer and build a better relationship.
"Get them Saying Yes, Yes"- I am sure all of us have had our run in with a door to door salesperson or any salesperson for that matter. One concept they understand is this lesson and you probably don't even recognize they are doing it either. The idea of this lesson is getting someone to be in affirmative mood. If you ask somewhat obvious questions from the start, that have the answers "yes," that person is subconsciously more likely to say yes to what is coming next. So when you talk to the salesperson at the car dealership and they say "You have had a drink in your car, right?" and you say "yes," and then they say "You like to have your drinks cold when you drink them, right?" and you say "yes" again. You are much more likely to say "yes" when that salesperson says "Well you should probably get the Cooling/Heating Cupholders shouldn't you?"
Section 4 Be A Leader
"Let the Other Person Always Save Face"- This is very important for leaders. It is easy to try and "set an example" when you are in a leadership role by reprimanding someone in front of everybody. The result will be pushing this person farther away from you and you'll lose trust and they will be less likely to work hard for you in the future. So always let a person save face. When someone does something "wrong" just make sure you take them aside to discuss the situation. No body likes to be "called out" in front of their peers. It hurts their self-esteem and we all know how important that is! Now I should note that Carnegie doesn't use this approach just toward an employee/employer situation, this can be applied to all relationships. Parents can grow closer and build better relationships with their children, friends with other friends, on so on and so forth, all by using the methods laid out in this book.
"Give Reputations to Live up to"- If someone is told they are good at something in front of their peers, they will do even better at it. So if you tell one of your friends in front of everybody that "so and so" is the best goalie you have ever seen. That will encourage that person to do even better. You have set up a good reputation to live up to and that person will most likely put in the effort, work extra hard, and really become the best goalie they possibly can become. This is a situation where it is okay to single someone out in front of their peers. It acts as a boost and that person will even grow to like you more for singling them out in a positive way.
That is all I am going to write about this book. I wish I could do more, but it's getting to be pretty long already. However, I want to reiterate that the lessons in this book are priceless and timeless. I will encourage each and every one of you to go buy this book. Carnegie is a great writer and I think you will find the book very fascinating. (I did!) And just to show you how important I feel the lessons of this book are I added a picture of my whiteboard. I wrote up every lesson from the book and I review them before I leave my apartment every morning. If you have any questions on the book don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help anyone that wants it. |
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 "Well written, entertaining and useful" | 2009-10-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2MYBDQ64PKP7I |
| This book is indeed a great way to identify and work on the main areas that allow us to be more diplomatic and soft, winning people and softening differences. Some advice is obvious, but overall the book is filled with entertaining stories and useful tips, so it's definitely a must read! |
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| "Are you a people person?" | 2009-09-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3I78D6VW33PNG |
| I have read this book a few times over the years and I am always amazed at what I take away from it. I have worked in the sales and service industry for many years and this book is still very helpful! It may have been written long ago, but the fact is that the principles outlined in the book are those that are needed for anyone to be successful today. I am a travel agent with www.lazydaystravelgroup.com, and there is little doubt that I would not be where I am today without some of the information from this book and others by Dale Carnegie! |
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| "Highly recommended book, print or audio!" | 2009-09-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2O6RPT701QS19 |
| A book I've been meaning to "read" since college but never got around to. I really wish I had picked it up sooner. Many great tips, you just have to read it, whether the print or audio book. I hit the road a lot these days, and books like these make the drive go a lot quicker! Check it out. |
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| "If I had only one book to read in a lifetime, I'd pick this one..." | 2009-09-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: ADM5JC9LP0NP |
I've first picked this book up when I was 18 and since, I consider it to be the best book ever written. If you were to read this book alone and nothing else in your lifetime, you would still become outrageously successful person just by following the principles outlined in this book. Dale Carnegie's magnificent creation is something I recommend to anyone who's looking for success in life, business and relationships.
Igor Kheifets
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| "A Personal Development Gem" | 2009-09-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A31D2B0N48J4H7 |
| This is one of these rare books, where one does not even know how to begin writing a review for. This book provides content about handling people, influencing people by making them like you and win them to your way of thinking and ultimately lead them. What I like about this book particularly are, first, it is very direct. The concepts are laid out in a very concise, precise and simple manner. Second they are supported by an onslaught of examples both from history and the author's personal experience. Finally what takes this book to another level are the unlimited applications of the principles presented: in one's personal life, professional career etc. This book will definitely be one of my staples go to books on people skills for the years to come and my top recommended reading. I am looking forward to read Dale's other work. If you are still reading, please go read this book! |
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