Timeless Wisdoms for Today’s Manager

There are some wisdoms about management, leadership and relationships that remain true, no matter how much time passes.  We’re not going back quite as far as the Greeks and Romans, but are sharing some timeless management and leadership lessons from one of the most influential authors of the last century.

The author is Dale Carnegie, and here are some of the key points he wrote about (we’ll reveal when his books were published further down):

1. Don’t Criticise, Condemn, or Complain
   Carnegie emphasised the importance of avoiding criticism and condemnation when dealing with employees. Instead, he advocated for constructive feedback and positive reinforcement as a way to motivate and improve performance.
2. Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation
   He stressed the significance of showing genuine appreciation for your employees’ efforts and contributions.  A manager should recognise and praise the achievements of their team members.
3. Arouse in the Other Person an Eager Want
   Carnegie believed that effective managers should understand what motivates their employees and work to align their desires and ambitions with the goals of the organisation. This involves getting to know your employees and their aspirations.
4. Be a Good Listener
   Carnegie emphasised the importance of being a good listener as a manager. By listening to employees, you can gain their trust and better understand their concerns and ideas.
5. Talk in Terms of the Other Person’s Interest
   He encouraged managers to frame discussions and communication in a way that resonates with the interests and concerns of their employees. This helps in building rapport and making your messages more persuasive.
6. Let the Other Person Feel That the Idea is Theirs
   Carnegie highlighted the value of involving employees in decision-making and problem-solving. When employees feel a sense of ownership over ideas and solutions, they are more likely to be motivated and committed. 
7. Try Honestly to See Things from the Other Person’s Point of View
   Understanding the perspectives and viewpoints of your employees is essential for effective management. It helps in resolving conflicts and building a collaborative work environment.
8. Admit When You are Wrong
   Carnegie emphasised the importance of humility and the ability to admit one’s mistakes. This not only builds trust but also sets an example for employees to take responsibility for their actions.

Although times and attitudes have changed, it’s amazing how relevant these wisdoms largely remain.  For those that may not be familiar with his work, Dale Carnegie authored “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (first released in 1936) and wrote about effective management in his book “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” (first published in 1948).

It’s important to note that while these principles were not exclusively about management, they have been widely applied in the context of leadership and management, and they continue to be influential in the fields of leadership and interpersonal relationships.  Although continual learning is vital to keep your management and leadership skills sharpened and growing, many of Carnegie’s foundational principles still serve well to this day.

If you would like to know more, do get in touch.  If you would like to RAPIDLY grow your management skills and knowledge with powerful and effective management training (and that covers many of the key management fundamentals, including helping you to understand others better!), our next Management Skills for Managers and Leaders workshop is not too far away.

Until next time, here’s to your management and leadership success, and hope to see you at the next course!