Have you ever met a fellow classmate who is clearly well-versed in a subject or field, but is a far cry from a team player? As you enter the working world, you’ll quickly find that having people skills is a vital element of your professional success. So how does one develop these social skills? Reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is the perfect place to start.

First published in 1937, this book has sold over 15 million copies globally. Don’t be fooled by its ancient release date; its messages are just as relevant in today’s world as they were 74 years ago. Through Carnegie’s insightful analysis of human nature, he lays out the techniques that are effective in dealing with other people in various environments. From “Six Ways to Make People Like You” to “12 Ways to Win People To Your Way of Thinking”, each chapter contains examples of how simple changes in your approach to a situation can make all the difference. While some of his suggestions may seem simple, it is the simple things that most people often forget to do. 

Here is an example of one chapter:

Six Ways to Make People Like You:

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile!
3. Remember that a person’s name is, to him or her, the sweetest and ms important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person’s interest.
6. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

Carnegie's book made me aware of things I needed to do differently, which have helped me tremendously in my professional and personal life. Trust me, it will be the best 291 pages you’ve ever read.