Photo: Liz Barrett

Last week I was looking for a new book to start reading and pulled one off the shelf that has moved with me from place to place since probably the early ’90s. I don’t think I ever finished it when I first started reading it all those years ago, but I’m now at a place where I can appreciate the lessons it holds.

I’ve come to realize that most people have heard of, read, or owned (and never read) “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It was published back in 1936, but the advice it holds still rings true today.

So, in the hopes of sparking a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, or maybe just inspiring people to be nicer to each other, I’m sharing a very abbreviated version of the principles from the book here. I chose Friday so that we can all go into the weekend prepared to win friends and influence people!

Techniques in Handling People
–Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
–Give honest and sincere appreciation.
–Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Ways to Make People Like You
–Become genuinely interested in other people.
–Smile!
–Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
–Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
–Make the other person feel important–and do it sincerely.

Win People to Your Way of Thinking
–The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
–Show respect for the other person’s opinions and never say, “You’re wrong.”
–If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
–Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
–Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.

Be a Leader
–Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
–Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
–Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
–Let the other person save face.
–Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Do you have a favorite principle from the book? Let us know in the comments below.