Life has been a one-time journey for all living beings. It is never sure where each life is destined but the journey is always under the control of the beholder/traveller. Few people are obsessed with fellow-human feelings while the rest are always looking forward to filling their life with as much happiness as they can pursue through friendships and personal relations. This post is all about the 10 powerful lessons from the book “How to Win Friends & Influence People”.
Lessons
1. Don’t Criticize, Condemn, or Complain
Be kind and thoughtful when considering other people’s feelings. Gain influence by treating others the way you want to be treated.
2. Become Genuinely Interested in Other People
“You can make more friends in two months by being genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get them interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie
3. Smile
Smiling builds rapport with strangers, instantly making you more likeable. Bring positive energy to every interaction with a genuine smile.
4. Encourage Others to Talk About Themselves
Everyone loves to talk about themselves and can do it for hours. Talking about yourself releases feel-good hormones similar to dopamine. Encourage others to talk about themselves all night long and they’ll love you for it.
5. Talk About the Other Person’s Interests
Get people talking about their passion and interests and they won’t stop talking. Being interested in other people’s interests is one of the best ways to build rapport.
6. Win Arguments By Avoiding Them
If an argument has started, you’ve already lost. Avoid losing your influence by avoiding arguments altogether.
7. Instead of giving orders, ask questions
A great leader motivates others to take action. Don’t tell people what they should do. Pose questions that will lead to the desired outcome.
8. Before criticizing the other person, discuss your own mistakes
We are all human, and we all make mistakes. Discuss yours openly before pointing out others’ flaws. You’ll gain influence if you appear human, like them.
9. Let the Other Person Save Face
Others may have good reasons for making honest mistakes. Don’t be quick to criticize them. Allow them to explain themselves before jumping to any conclusions. They will love you for it.
10. The Secret to Success
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.”