How To Win Friends and Influence People

If you have not read this book by now, log off you computer, drive to your local book store and pick it up. “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie is a must read for every business professional.

The coolest thing about this book which is explained in the foreword is that it was not produced for commercial gain, rather it was the result of over 10 years of research on business professionals. Consequently it is rife with fundamental truths that govern our behaviors.

I also enjoyed the structure of each thought. It is very much a point by point read that can be used as reference tool as much as it can be enjoyed as a book.

I pick up my copy while I was perusing through a book store one day and noticed it fit my purchase algorithm;

My algorithm for purchasing a book

  • Have I heard people reference this title before? (Implies other people liked it)
  • Are there more than one copy of the book currently on the shelf?(Implies that it is a commonly sold item)
  • Was it published more than 5 years ago?(Implies value)

If the answer to all of these questions is yes than I have just found a recourse to add to my collection.

How to win friends and influence people will change your life. It is pertinent not only in business but in all of your relationships. I would love to hear what others think about the book. Have you been able to put its principles into action?

3 thoughts on “How To Win Friends and Influence People”

  1. Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!

  2. I read this book after hearing Warren Buffet emphasise its importance.
    As someone who remembers faces well but struggles with names, visual learner, I was struck by the section on referring to people by their first names in face to face conversation.

    I tested it out soon after at work with a colleague who goes by a nickname mostly. I made a point of subtly finding out his christian name and then addressing him with it.

    The shock on his face was apparrent and he asked me why I had used it. I told him because it was his name and from then on our relationship changed. What had been a brief aquaintance developed over the next months.He chose to seek me out for advice and guidance or just chit chat in a way that was very different from before.

    A friend once told me if you struggle with names, ‘when you meet someone new shake their hand, look them in the eye and say,” nice to met you (name).” It helps connect the face with a name’.

    These two tips dovetail together well and have made quite a difference to the way I interact with others. In a positive way I beleive.

  3. Thanks for sharing Andy. I listened to Warren Buffets “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
    ” not too long ago and I think I remember him saying something about the the book. (for those who have not read snowball I recommend checking out the audio book from your local library.)

    The name thing is amazing. I have found similar reactions in my life. People really do appreciate it when they are addressed by name early in a relationship.

    A trick to remembering names that I have used is association. If I can tie my impression of someone with their name it helps me remember. I also hear that using their name 10 times in conversion with them can help set it in stone. This has been difficult for me as over using a name can sound funny.

    I will try the hand shake / eye connection thing and let you know how it goes.

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