I finished reading How to Win Friends and Influence People, and this page is my quick notebook from one part that stood out: leading people by changing attitudes and behavior without creating resistance.

Notes in a Nutshell

  1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
  2. Call attention to mistakes indirectly.
  3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing others.
  4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
  5. Let the other person save face.
  6. Praise the slightest improvement, and praise every improvement.
  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.

My Practical Reminder

When I need to correct someone, I should first protect the relationship, then discuss the issue. These principles are simple, but in real life they require patience, humility, and consistency.

That is my short takeaway from this section of the book.