Whether you want to learn a new skill, start forming healthy habits, or improve your current relationships, self-help books are a valuable source of knowledge that can help you grow and fulfill your potential. While there are many self-help books available today, “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie remains as one of the classic and quintessential self-help books that everyone should read at least once.

Published in 1935, Dale Carnegie’s classic book lays down simple principles that help you build your relationships and set yourself up for success. These steps are fairly straightforward and easy to understand, making “How to win friends and influence people” an effective book for both seasoned self-help readers and beginners alike. Even better, the principles found in the book can be easily applied to almost any situation or circumstance--making the book an effective and timeless read.

If you’re looking for a reason to purchase “How to win friends and influence people” here in the Philippines, then read through our review of Dale Carnegie’s classic book and its simple life lessons and principles:

 

“How to Win Friends and Influence People”: Principles and Stories for the Modern Reader

It has been years--decades even--since “How to win friends and influence people” was released yet it remains as one of the most influential reads worldwide. With over 30 million copies sold, the book has reached thousands of readers of all ages and nationalities. With countless readers vouching for the book’s lessons, it really is no surprise that “How to win friends and influence people” is considered a classic among highly effective self-help books.

Dale Carnegie enlists simple premises and principles that are easy to follow and constantly relevant. These principles are somewhat universal, which is why this read can help you out no matter what your age, race, or status is. In fact, the simplicity of Dale’s principles is what makes “How to win friends and influence people” an effective book.

While you should definitely read the book to gain a deeper understanding of Dale Carnegie’s life lessons, here’s a brief encapsulation of the lessons and principles that he discussed in his book:

 

1. Be Nice

“You’ll catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.”

This old adage may seem like common sense, but it’s something that most people forget. Think about it: when you’re dealing with a person who has a problem you can solve, would you help them if they were rude and disrespectful or if they were respectful, understanding, and smiling?

When it comes to dealing with people, being nice pays off. After all, people will tend to gravitate towards the people they find charming or pleasant. Being rude, condescending, and antagonistic damages your reputation and relationships.

Carnegie writes, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, or complain--and most fools do.”

If you’re trying to build relationships, being antagonistic will get you nowhere--especially with people you are not particularly close to. Rather than jeopardizing your relationship, it can be beneficial to more forgiving and understanding of people. This lesson is especially useful for when you’re starting out in a new place or when re-building your relationships.

 

2. Understand the People Around You

A fundamental part of building relationships is fostering understanding and a sense of kindred with one another. You can’t expect to have a strong relationship with another person if you don’t take the time to understand them. Something as simple as knowing and using their names constantly can boost your relationship with the people around you.

Understanding others also means getting to know them, which means making an effort to ask them questions. Something as simple as asking their favorite food or color can spark a conversation or connection with another. Of course, you don’t have to force these things--if you are genuinely interested in getting to know a person, then opportunities to understand them will inevitably arise.

 

3. Be Ready to Lend a Helping Hand

At the end of the day, the fastest way to make friends is to be someone people can rely on. The subtle act of helping someone out when they are in need leaves a positive impact on the person and on your relationship. Helping doesn’t even need to be a grand or huge thing; sometimes, something as simple as giving advice is a huge step towards developing your personal relationships.

Helping people out makes them feel important and shows that you have an understanding of their goals and motivations. This, of course, strengthens your relationships with others and lets you further expand your social circle and influence.

 

Read “How to win friends and influence people” and other self-help books

These principles are just some of the lessons you can pick up from “How to win friends and influence people”. If you’re looking for more self-help books to read, browse through our large selection of reads and buy bestselling books here in the Philippines online.

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