No matter what career you are in, no matter what position you hold, if you have contact with other human beings, you must read the book How to Win Friends & Influence People written by Dale Carnegie.
I think it is critical for people to learn from those around us, not only from men who are great, but especially from the mistakes made from men who aren't so great.
I love to write from personal experience, which is the inspiration for this post. I have worked under several different district managers, managers, sales managers, and brokers. I have been a manager myself. Each had their own individual style of leadership. I have seen what works, and what doesn't.
In the book there are 9 principals that every great leader needs in order to be great. I will list them below.
- Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
(Believe me this will get you far. For example, if you want your agents to produce, which will in turn directly benefit you, praise will encourage and motivate them. Agents and people in general like to be recognized for their accomplishments, no matter how small, or insignificant those accomplishments may seem. A little bit of appreciation will get you far.)
- Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
- Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
- Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
- Let the other person save face.
- Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
- Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
- Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
- Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
Remember, "A great man shows his greatness; by the way he treats little men." -Thomas Carlyle
If you are in a leadership position, or if you inspire to be a leader I would encourage you to read this book. If people don't respect you, how can you lead them? In short, you can't.
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