How to Spur People On to Success: The Dale Carnegie Method

Commentary: This is a continuing series of posts reviewing Dale Carnegie's book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'. This program is attractive in professional relationships due to it's time tested advice for those moving up the ladder of success. I have been introduced to Dale Carnegie training not once but twice. I attended Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School or AOCS during 1988 through which Dale Carnegie principles were first introduced to me, at least in part. Years later during 1999, I attended the Dale Carnegie school and coursework introducing me again to the Dale Carnegie method and principles.  I will be detailing only one principle a week in a shorter post in order to for you to digest the information. This series  may be reviewed at All the Principles in One Post

How to Spur People On to Success

Animal trainers often praise and reward animals at the moment of improved and/or correct behavior. They make a big to do about it and the animal responds favorably. Carnegie observed this conduct with an old friend of his who had a traveling circus act wondering why we do not use the same common sense with humans? Why we do not use a reward rather than the whip? Why we do not use praise instead of condemnation?   Carnegie felt we should inspire other people to keep on improving by praising the slightest improvements.

Praise instead of criticism is a basic concept. Research shows that when criticism is minimized and praise is emphasized the good things people, do will be reinforced and the poorer things will atrophy.  Carnegie asserts that we all crave appreciation and recognition, and will do almost anything to get it. However, nobody wants insincerity or flattery. Carnegie re-asserts that his principles only work if they come from the heart. What he is presenting is not a bag of tricks. Carnegie emphatically urges that he is talking about a new way of life. Any change is actually in us and not our circumstances.

People, those reading this, habitually fail to use their abilities to praise people and inspire them with the realization of their latent possibilities. Abilities whither away under criticism and blossom under encouragement. Effective leaders, 

Principle 27: Praise the slightest and every improvement. Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.