I’ve been meaning to write up a review of this book by Dale Carnegie for a while now. This book has literally been a great basis for my life. My parents have been instilling the types of values and beliefs in me my whole life that have shaped me into who I am today. It’s in no way a dirty way of living and you aren’t really doing anything unethical by applying what this book shares. It’s just kind of a shortcut to having people like you more and increasing the influence that you have on your network.
So onto the review so you can learn something!
This book is a practical, concrete, and very easy-to-read inspiring handbook that helps you conquer your worries.
Part 1
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
1. Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain.
2. Give honest, sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse, in the other person, an eager want.
Part 1 is all about learning how to handle people. Something that I notice whenever I go out is when I am in a line waiting to check out of a store, I often try to find a way to cheer up the person working the cash register ( I usually try to find the cutest girl working haha) The way I do that is directly like this section. I usually take the time to ask how their day is and show that I am actually interested in how her day is going. I also try to make some jokes with her to put a smile on her face in order to have some fun 
While I am doing this, I sometimes notice how other people interact with other workers. Many people complain, argue and even swear at the individuals working to help make their experience better. Sure some of the employees aren’t the greatest at having conversations and may not be having a great day but that’s no reason to be rude to them. This section really gets into the secret of dealing with people and gets more in-depth about sincere appreciation. I recommend you start doing this as it’ll make your day a little more fun and will more than likely help you to meet more people!
Part 2
Six ways to make people like you
1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile.
3. Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
6. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.
Being interested in people is one of the single biggest ways to be fascinating to people. Learn to listen when people are talking, to take the time and actually HEAR what they are saying. This is difficult with all the distractions that we currently have. The next step is to SMILE and remember the person’s name. It is recommended that you say the person’s name 3 times throughout the conversation to help you remember it easier. I used to have trouble remembering peoples names but now I pride myself on my ability to remember names. The reason I improved was because when I am first introduced, I repeat their name. Then throughout the conversation I try to say the person’s name 2-3 times and when the conversation ends, I remember to say their name at the end to make sure I got it correct and remember it
Talking about the other person’s interest….ahh.. BRILLIANCE in such a simple little statement. Everyone is passionate about something and everyone usually loves talking about what they are passionate about. During conversations try to get to a point in the conversation where you can find out the passion of the other person. They will more than likely carry the conversation and you can really get to learn about a subject by listening to the person! This is fun and the people actually are more likely to consider you an excellent conversationalist after you’ve listened to them!
Everyone on this planet is important. Everyone has a specialty and everyone has the ability to change their life. This person IS the most important person in his or her life and it is our job to show them that we truly appreciate who they are in a way that is sincere. If you try to act sincere when you truly aren’t, it isn’t going to do you any good! People can tell when someone is sincere and when they aren’t. Find a way to show your appreciation for the other person.
A way that you can do this is just pointing out how impressed you are with how much someone knows about their passion and interests. People put a lot of time into learning things as I’m sure you and I have both done.
Part 3
Win people to your way of thinking
1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say, “You’re wrong.”
3. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
8. Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
9. Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
10. Appeal to the nobler motives.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.
Winning people to your side is something that we all must learn in business. We are all salespeople and winning people to our way of thinking is a great way to do business 
Those 12 steps pretty much explain what you need to do. The throw down a challenge is to challenge a person to do something. This challenge can be to try a new product or service, or it can be a challenge such as a 90 day extreme home fitness workout. People love and strive on challenges and it is your job to provide some challenges!
Part 4
Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.”
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
These 9 steps are essential leadership steps that everyone must learn. Being a negative leader has never gotten people very far. Great businesses are built up by great leaders and these 9 steps are what makes a leader great.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who struggles with relationships. It really is a simplified way of getting people to like you and a great way to build up a business.
Personal ranking of this book: [rating:5]
