Dale Carnegie - the condensed version

After the Great War and before WW II, following a divorce and during the Great Depression, Dale Carnegie wrote an optimistic book - "How to win friends and influence people".

It's good bathroom reading, easiest to take a little bit at a time. On reading it I wonder if some of Carnegie's "friends" came to doubt the sincerity of his sentiments, but it's hard to argue with the general principles of the latter half of the book.

I figured it'd be useful to have an edited version of his "rules" at hand, and thanks to Wikipedia that's not hard. These are the "rules" I like the most ...

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking

If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Begin in a friendly way.
Start with questions the other person will answer yes to.
Let the other person do the talking.
Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers.
Try honestly to see things from the other persons point of view.

Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
Call attention to other people's mistakes indirectly.
Talk about your own mistakes first.
Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
Let the other person save face.
Praise every improvement.
Give them a fine reputation to live up to.
Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct.

Now in the modern world, try doing all this over the phone, without ever seeing the other person!

PS. I want anyone who might know me to understand I'm not delusional -- I don't claim to practice these recommendations. Still, one must have aspirations...