What Would Dale Carnegie Do?

I always find it helpful to read Dale Carnegie’s timeless book, How To Win Friends And Influence People at least once a year. I think it is especially helpful this time of year as we celebrate the holidays with office parties and get togethers. Here are ten things that I’ve gleaned from this timeless tome.

  1. When you meet someone, make eye contact and smile. A great way to do this is to make a mental note of their eye color.
  2. Wherever you are, act like you are the host. Initiate the conversation. Be the first to say hello.
  3. Use simple memorization techniques to remember people’s names or write them down on a small card. As Dale Carnegie says, “The sweetest sound to a person is their name.”
  4. Make others feel important by giving them your full attention. Help them feel like they are the only person in the room and that you are enjoying your conversation with them. Refrain from yawning or looking at your watch.
  5. Show curiosity and interest in others. Ask them open-ended questions and listen to their answers. You will become more likeable, and really start to understand the person’s wants, needs, and desires.
  6. Be enthusiastic about your life. People gravitate to optimistic, positive and cheerful people.
  7. Be able to speak on a variety of subjects. Keep abreast of current events and read timely books and magazines. Be able to tell people what you do in a few short sentences. Speak concisely.
  8. Invite people to join you for other activities such as lunch or an informal meeting.
  9. Be sincere and compliment others about what they are wearing, doing, or saying.
  10. Give people more than they expect. Don’t promise things you can’t deliver.


Comments (6)    Posted in Career, Conversation, Inspiration    

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6 Responses to 'What Would Dale Carnegie Do?'

  1. Predict the color of your babys eyes - December 11th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    [...] What Would Dale Carnegie Do? | Success Begins Today [...]

  2. Dale Carnegie Training » What Would Dale Carnegie Do? - December 12th, 2008 at 5:45 am

    [...] Read the rest here: What Would Dale Carnegie Do? [...]

  3. PAtrick Allmond - December 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am

    That book is timeless. From the first time I read it I’ve loved every page. Too bad it gets alot of bad press.

  4. dtj - December 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am

    Unfortunately #6 is not without danger. Sometimes people flock to optimistic and cheerful people because they want a piece of it, for the same reason wolves flock to a big piece of meat. While it may be true that being around optimistic and positive people may rub off, it is most certainly the case that negativity and the morass of some peoples lives and attitudes will smother goodness. Positive people often attract people that need help but don’t want help and aren’t willing to do what necessary to help their situation. My wife and I have, in the past, helped people with things like financial problems. Unfortunately our effort (and money) was wasted and they just repeated previous mistakes that got them into the situation in the first place. We now view things *very* differently and act accordingly. We no longer help those who won’t help themselves.

  5. Improving Motivational Skills - December 16th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    Anything about Carnegie is wonderful. I have read his book HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, I just love reading that. The tips and tricks given by Carnegie are always simple and easy to use. You can definitely influence people or can make loads of friends, if you are moving on the way shown by him.

  6. tom - January 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am

    Simple yet powerful post. Thank you for posting this.

    Although that you can’t force yourself to act the way outlined in those 10 steps.
    What I mean is usually people that are free of their problems are able to fully and naturally express those above qualities.
    You wouldn’t care about looking at those 10 points if you were pissed off and angry at the world.


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