Critique on Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People": A Study on Application and Misapplication of Principles

Title page

CRITIQUE ON

DALE CARNEGIE’S HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE

A STUDY ON APPLICATION AND MISAPPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 Delven

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

Title page

Copyright

Author’s Note

Critique on Part I: Fundamental Techniques

Principle 1- Don’t criticize, condemn or complain

2. Honest and sincere appreciation

3. Arouse in the other person an eager want

Critique on Part II: Six Ways to Make People Like You

1. Become genuinely interested in other people

2. Smile

3. A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound

4. Be a good listener

5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests

6. Make the other person feel important-and do it sincerely

Critique on Part III - How To Win People To Your Way Of Thinking

1. Avoid argument

2. Never say, You're wrong.

3. Admit when you are wrong

4. Begin in a friendly way

5. Get yes from the other

6. Let the other talk

7. Let the other feel it is his idea

8. See honestly from other’s point of view

9. Sympathize with other’s ideas and desires

10. Appeal to nobler motives

11. Dramatize your ideas

12. Throw down a challenge

Critique on Part IV - Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment

Principle 1 - Begin with praise and honest appreciation

Principle 2 - Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly

Principle 3 - Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person

Principle 4 - Ask questions instead of giving direct orders

Principle 5 - Let the other person save face

Principle 6 - Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.

Principle 7 - Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to

Principle 8 - Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct

Principle 9 - Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest

Critique on Part V: Seven Rules for Making Your Home Life Happier

Rule 1 is: Don't, don't nag

Rule 2 is: Don't try to make your partner over

Rule 3: Don't criticize

Rule 4: Give honest appreciation

Rule 5 is: Pay little attentions

Rule 6 is: Be courteous

Rule 7 of How to Make Your Home Life Happier is: 'Read a good book on the sexual side of marriage

Final remarks

Author’s Note

Dale’s book remained one of the greatest influences in my life. One had practiced Dale’s principles after reading How to Win Friends… and presented this book to many hoping that they too will change their behaviour. However, regarding the principles espoused in his book, many observations need to be shared with the people who have read and practiced those principles. The principles at times were found inadequate, or brought undesired result. In this book I want to elaborate on the observations I experienced in my course of life practicing these principles. Dale was a great influence but the author did not reap any benefits from it. To one's context, Dale was very little useful and one lost more than one gained with Dale. Or one didn't have the context for benefiting from Dale. People are not aware of Dale and in the social context the author spent his life, no one bothers to practice or acknowledge Dale. The principles are largely useless and no one cares the one practicing them. Also to a large extent they failed to produce any result. Knowledge and ignorance of Dale is the divide. Reading Dale's book and studying good works on social skills is no