A lot of times the best advice comes from long ago and in this case, just over 70 years ago. One of the best books that I have read on how to communicate with others is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. I’m not talking about superficial tricks to manipulate others, but techniques that only work if you are truly sincere.
On the front flap of my edition, it tells that “the sole purpose of the book is to help you solve the biggest problem you face: the problem of getting along with and influencing people in your everyday, business and social contacts.” This book has helped me to better communicate with others.
One of the most important things that I personally took from the book, is to listen to the other person talk about their interests. If you stop and think about it, everyone wants to talk about themselves and the “exciting” things going on in their lives. When we learn to listen and, as Carnegie puts it, “talk in terms of the other person’s interests,” we will find more people wanting to be around us.
The only catch is that it has to be sincere!
