How to Win Friends and Influence People - Book Report/Review Example

? How to Win Friends & Influence People “How to win friends and influence people” by dale Carnegie is among the best-selling books, most educational and very interesting book ever written. The author, easily speaks through the pages to different readers. In the modern world, where communication takes place through wires and screens Carnegie lessons still apply, and have become of essential importance. Even though the book was written without the anticipation of technological developments, Carnegie proves to be a wise, and dependable teacher in the world of digital technology. Communication in today’s world is done through diverse tools and with greater and efficient speed, Carnegie advice on how to communicate, lead and work efficiently remains invaluable across the ages. The book is considered very motivational in addition; it is known to give success in life. Carnegie believed that successes sprouted from an ability to communicate properly rather than from radiant insights. The book teaches skills by convincing readers how to treasure others and make them feel respected rather than manipulated. Carnegie advice is applicable today even though modernization has affected how people interact in organizations. However, the problems faced in workplaces with regard to employees are similar to those faced during the depression. Carnegie believed that proper communication at the workplace enhances better and healthier relationships (Parker, 1977). Additionally for one to become a good and effective leader proper communication channel ought to exist between the leader and the employees. Employees who are not aware of what is expected of them perform work to the level best, but employees aware of what is expected of them give outstanding performance. Human nature being what it is workplace communication is seldom sufficient therefore; organizational leaders are required to improve on communication channel on a continual basis. The leader is expected to be honest so that trust can be developed between the employees and the leaders. Carnegie further adds that job satisfaction and performance are determined by healthy manager-staff communication. An important key to good leadership is effective communication. When faced with bad news managers tend to fear to share the negative news and they keep to themselves. They are not aware that communicating the problem to the entire organization will make the employees feel to be part of the team. Dealing with people and stimulating employees may be the most difficult challenge a manager faces. Carnegie advices that, the management should involve employees even in matters they take to be sensitive (Bigelow, 2011). For instance, wondering what is good for the company and what to do to counter competition is a good question to ask employees. The employees tend to know more about competition than the top managers do. Employees tend to interact with fellow employees of another company therefore; they get to know how other companies operate. Moreover, employees do not always see intelligence as part of their job description therefore the leaders of the organization need to make employees to feel to be part of the team through proper communication. Through communication, business insights and innovations would be easy. Employees are always on the front line with “vendors, customers, clients and coworkers, they often interact with board members and meet people in the community at church, ball games or PTA meetings” (McCarty, 2010). Managers can benefit from this information through use of proper communication channel with the employees. Managers are also required to identify employees who contribute workable ideas. The organization should give the employees proper rewards so that other employees can be motivated to come up with workable ideas. The world is guided in the notion that communication and leadership go hand in hand. Managers are required to lighten up and not to be serious all the time. Healthy positive communication is a confidence booster and assists in keeping productivity high (Parker, 1977). Listening and talking to employees is the most crucial step in developing oneself as a great leader. To enhance proper communication channel organizational leaders are required to be: - straightforward meaning that managers need to be honest about challenges facing the organization this will develop trust and understanding, bridging the gap between the leader and the employees (Bigelow, 2011). Employees are aware that top management earn more than them therefore, informing them of what the leadership position entail will make them understand the position even better. Develop the skill of talking informally; this may include issues like sports, television shows among others. Through informal communication employees will feel connected and at ease when communicating with top management. Carnegie came up with ways in which leaders can use to enhance communication and their leadership skills. As a leader, Carnegie advised not to criticize, condemn or complain. In addition, the leader should give honest and sincere appreciation when employees perform an outstanding job. In order to make employees like the leaders of an organization, the leaders can start developing an interest in employees by being at ease with them. the managers can learn the names of employees so that the employees can feel appreciated and noticed. The managers should also learn the skill of being good listeners by allowing employees to share their ideas, this will make employees feel important and part of the team (McCarty, 2010). Carnegie also advised managers on how they can be respectable leaders. The managers can begin by learning the skill of giving praise and honest opinion to employees. When an employee the manager has committed a mistake is required to tackle the issue indirectly so that the employee cannot feel condemned. Additionally, prior to condemning others the manager can begin by acknowledging their own mistakes. The managers can also develop the normalcy of asking questions instead of giving direct orders (Bigelow, 2011). The information available in the book is reliable and can be used in any organization scenario. Communication is the key to ensuring success in the organization and Carnegie provides required fundamentals with regard to how to practice effective communication in the workplace. The author tries to incorporate everyday problems faced in the workplace through the book (McCarty, 2010). Even though the book was written decades ago, the information provided is applicable today. Currently communication in the workplace has been enhanced by availability of advanced technology there are diverse tools that can be used to enhance workplace communication. The book is of great importance to me both at workplace and in everyday life. Carnegie gives suggestions on the techniques of how to handle people and make them feel appreciated. When interacting with people whether at workplace or in everyday life condemning, criticizing or complaining is wrong because it makes people feel unappreciated. Nonetheless, giving an honest opinion is a good way of handling other people because it will assist them to correct their mistakes. Moreover, everybody enjoys when someone gives an honest opinion about you. Therefore, if a person at the workplace does a good job praising the individual is not wrong instead the person will feel appreciated. The book also provides ways on how to make people like you. Therefore, by putting the suggestions of Carnegie to practice I can be able to make people like me both at work place and in the social life. smiling, knowing people’s names, becoming honestly interested in other people, being a good listener, talking while putting the interest of another person on the forefront and making other people feel important are some of the suggestion put forward by Carnegie on how to make people like me. The book will therefore have a great impact in my life and interacting with people will be much easier. In addition, I will know how to handle others and consider their feelings before communicating or giving a suggestion about something. Establishing a good relationship with people is essential because when faced with difficult situation people will be willing to give a helping hand. “How to win friends and influence people” is a book that is useful in everyday life because it gives employers a platform on how to interact with employees. Additionally, it gives suggestions on how employees can interact in the workplace. Generally, the book is helpful in enhancing proper communicating link in the workplace and interactions of people. For years, the book has been helpful to so many successful people and a number of organizations use the book to enhance proper working conditions in the workplace. Modern technology advancement has not made the book irrelevant instead; the book gives proper advice even in place of technology. the biggest asset of any organization is their employees, if an organization can appeal to the very basics of a person’s desire and needs genuinely care about them , relate to them performance will considerably be enhanced. Through the book readers are advised to put into consideration the listener prior to speaking and avoid criticism, condemnation and complaint. Therefore, I can recommend people to read the book because it will be of practical importance to their lives. Carnegie wrote the book thinking of the future and any leader who uses the suggestions put forward in the book will achieve practical results. The book gives easy to employ approaches for lasting, productive development in conversations as well as corporation in business and personal life. References Bigelow, D. (2011). How to Win Friends & Influence People in the Digital Age. Library journal. 136 (15), 90. McCarty, M. (2010). The Dale Carnegie Influence Lives On. OfficePro. 70 (6), 20-23. Parker, T. (1977). 'how to win friends and influence people:' dale carnegie and the problem of sincerity. American Quarterly . 29, (5), 506-518. Read More