When I asked him -Mr.Henry Ford- if he ever worried, he replied: "No. I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe that every-thing will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?
Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Make the fault easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of positive communication in leadership roles to build rapport and encourage improvement.
Dale Carnegie illustrates the significance of a constructive approach to criticism and guidance. By beginning with praise, acknowledging your own fallibility, and encouraging others through questions and gentle suggestions, leaders can foster a more receptive and motivated environment. This method not only helps in addressing mistakes effectively but also makes individuals feel valued and happy to comply with suggestions, ultimately leading to personal growth and improved relationships.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of providing feedback constructively.
More from Dale Carnegie
All quotes →Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.
By talking to yourself about the things you have to be grateful for you can fill your mind with thoughts that soar and sing.
It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.
I can look back at my own life and see where a few words of praise have sharply changed my entire future. Can't you say the same thing about your life?
Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.
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Supposing Catherine Lim was writing about me and not the prime minister... She would not dare, right? Because my posture, my response has been such that nobody doubts that if you take me on, I will put on knuckle-dusters and catch you in a cul de sac... Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society.
The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands.
That's all managing is: just coming up with the right questions and getting the right answers.
When a system is stable, telling the worker about mistakes is only tampering.