A Matter of Perspective

One little book with a whole lot to teach

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are. ~ Mason Cooley

Many of us have been familiar with having to stay where we are over the course of the last several months. I was talking to some people I was interviewing today and it occurred to me that I had hardly been out of my house since March 15. This was only the second in person interview I had done. I have written most of my stories through research online, phone calls and e-mails.

One thing I have done a lot of is reading.

I have read articles and posts and books and newspapers and magazines. I have read things for research. I have read things for pleasure. I have “read” Audible books, I have read Kindle books.

Basically, I have done a lot of reading!

A little book with a lot of power

One of the most favorite books I have read over the past few weeks is a very condensed version of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

There is a lot of power packed into this book that measures a mere 3 1/4 inches tall by 2 3/4 inches wide.

Like I said, though, it has a wealth of wisdom within its 134 tiny pages. There are an average of 50 words per page.

Nine Principles that can

shape your leadership skills

I wanted to share the Nine Principles that make up the book.

Here they are:

• Principle One:

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

• Principle Two:

Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.

• Principle Three:

Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.

•Principle Four:

Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.

•Principle Five:

Let the other person save face.

• Principle Six:

Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.

• Principle Seven:

Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.

• Principle Eight:

Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.

• Principle Nine:

Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

The Central Theme

As you can see, the theme of the book is building the other person up, praising them and making them have ownership of projects and their decisions.

Being a leader is a tremendous responsibility and not everyone should or will become one.

Think about it—the title of the book is “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” These principles are perfect for winning friends. They are perfect for influencing people!

They are great ways to interact with other people whether you are a leader or a friend!