“How to Win Friends and Influence People”: Chatting It Up Online with a Little Help from Dale Carnegie
So, you’ve heard of that old-school gem “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie from 1936, right? It’s been the go-to guide for winning at human connections since, like, forever.
But we’re in 2023! The digital scene is where the actions are at. Let’s see how we can channel our inner Dale Carnegie and make friends without leaving our couches.
In this article, we dissect Carnegie’s insights and tailor them for the digital age, along with recommending some other enriching reads available in the Blinkist Library.
Getting to Know Dale Carnegie
Before we dig in, let’s shed some light on Dale Carnegie. He is the man behind legendary books like “The Sales Advantage,” “The Leader in You,” and, of course, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
Born in 1888, Dale Carnegie was an acclaimed writer and lecturer, and he pioneered in the fields of self-improvement, salesmanship, and public speaking. His timeless wisdom laid the foundation for modern interpersonal skills and communication.
We’re now applying Carnegie’s principles to the 21st-century digital landscape because they’re timeless, thanks to the wisdom of his mentors. Let’s look at some old but still relevant knowledge that is usable for everyone:
“How to Win Friends and Influence People”
Unleashing Authenticity in the Digital Realm
1. Being real and genuine was at the core of Carnegie’s teachings. Online, that translates to shedding your virtual masks. Be your authentic self, share your real thoughts and experiences, and have open conversations.
Building trust and making meaningful connections online starts with authenticity.
Mastering the Art of Digital Communication
2. Carnegie was all about active listening and showing genuine interest. Guess what? That still holds in the digital world. Engage in conversations, be empathetic, and mind your digital manners. Trust us; your DMs will thank you.
“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
Cultivating Your Virtual Tribe
3. In his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” Carnegie knew the power of a strong network. Fast-forward to today, and it’s all about your online tribe. Engage on social platforms, join forums, or start a group. Be present, bring something to the table, and watch a thriving online community take shape and make friends effortlessly.
Riding the Waves of Digital Influence
4. In Carnegie’s days, influence was about charisma and personal interaction. Today, it’s about your digital footprint. Use Carnegie’s principles to build an authentic online influence. Share the good stuff—insights, tips, and help—and become a go-to person in your online circles.
“The difference between appreciation and flattery? That is simple. One is sincere and the other insincere. One comes from the heart out; the other from the teeth out. One is unselfish; the other selfish. One is universally admired; the other universally condemned.”
Applying Carnegie’s Magic Across Online Platforms
5. Different platforms, different rules. Learn how to tailor Carnegie’s principles to different online platforms. Whether it’s Instagram, Medium, podcasts, or YouTube, empathy, active listening, and relationship-building are your tickets to a thriving online presence.
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
While Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” lays a solid foundation for building lasting relationships and influencing others. The following books are great additional resources that delve even deeper into the art of communication and persuasion, especially in today’s time.
So, if you’ve got an appetite for taking your social understanding to new heights, you might want to consider widening your reading list. Here’s the best part:
Blinkist has got your back! With Blinkist, you can consume key insights from a variety of books in a fraction of the time. Here are three hand-picked titles available on Blinkist that complement and expand upon “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and Carnegie’s wisdom:
Blinkist Library About Communication in 2023
1. “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
Crucial Conversations
- 20 min reading time
- audio version available
This is your ultimate guide to navigating those high-stakes conversations without, you know, wanting to bang your head against a wall. It’s about speaking up without your voice getting shaky, and getting your point across without losing friends.
2. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini
Influence
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
Ever wondered what makes people say yes? Well, stop wondering! Cialdini breaks down the psychology behind persuasion, so you can get a resounding ‘heck, yeah!’ rather than a dismissive ‘nah’. And don’t worry; it’s all about ethical influence.
3. “The Art of Influencing Anyone” by Niall Cassidy
The Art of Influencing Anyone
- 17 min reading time
- audio version available
The Art of Influencing Anyone provides detailed information on how to influence people to do what you want. An invaluable read for salespeople, it is also useful for anyone who wants to learn how to sound more convincing and persuasive.
4. “Influence” by Robert B. Cialdini
Influence
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
This masterpiece, from 1984, explains in detail the fundamental principles of persuasion. How are you manipulated by sleek salesmen, clever marketing folks and sneaky confidence tricksters? These blinks will help you understand the psychology behind specific techniques, enabling you to unleash your own persuasive powers while also defending against their tactics of manipulation.
The journey to becoming a social superstar is like a buffet; there’s always room to pile more wisdom on your plate. Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the waters of interpersonal skills or you’re already swimming in the deep end: “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and especially our book recommendations are helping you to make waves in the world of communication and influence. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be the person who just gets people?
Now, don’t let the time crunch be an excuse. These book summaries can be read in just 15 minutes each on Blinkist. It’s time to build on what you’ve learned from Dale Carnegie and become the master of social connections in the digital age!
And did you know? Blinkist offers a free trial! That’s right; you can tap into all these insights for nada. So, what are you waiting for?
