Pages 244 – 248

Carnegie has already covered mistakes very thoroughly earlier – “If you’re wrong, admit it.” Now he’s giving guidance on how to correct someone else’s mistakes – and he’s saying to be indirect.

Since 2015 the phrase ‘compliment sandwich‘ has caught on for people who follow Carnegie’s first two leadership methods:

•  Begin with honest praise
• Give indirect compliments

Indirect correction of mistakes is okay, if the other person is capable of grasping the indirectness.  What if they are not capable?  If they don’t grasp the technical foundation of their mistake, can they grasp the nature of their error?  What if language or cultural gaps are making the mistake worse?

Be indirect – but be prepared to be direct if needed. Carnegie is telling the reader to not be a jerk.  Don’t make them feel stupid.  But do be clear if need be.

Best Quote(s)

“Gentlemen,” he started, “you are leaders. You will be most effective when you lead by example.” Page 246

Page by Page

Page 244

“Quietly slipping behind the counter, he waited on the woman himself and then handed the purchase to the salespeople to be wrapped as he went on his way.”

Page 245

“This could be easily overcome by changing the word “but” to “and.””

Page 246

““Gentlemen,” he started, “you are leaders. You will be most effective when you lead by example.”

247

Lyman’s sermon is not good. How should his wife coach him?

“Lyman, that is terrible. That’ll never do. You’ll put people to sleep. It reads like an encyclopedia. You ought to know better than that after all the years you have been preaching. For heaven’s sake, why don’t you talk like a human being? Why don’t you act natural? You’ll disgrace yourself if you ever read that stuff.”

248

PRINCIPLE 2 Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.