This is the twenty-seventh post in a multi-part series where I share the highlights of the sections/subsections of the book How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
Previous: Let the other person save face
Be a Leader: How to Change People without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
Principle 6: Praise the slightest improvement, and praise every improvement
- Why don’t we use the same technique to change people as we do to train animals (i.e., use treats instead of the whip)?
- Use praise instead of condemnation; praise inspires the other person to keep on improving.
- We like to criticize, but are somehow reluctant to give our fellow man the warm sunshine of praise.
- Don’t blindly flatter people; specifically point out how someone’s work is superior. In this way, praise takes on a stronger meaning.
Up Next
Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.