The Book That has Infuenced Me Most (Essay Sample)

The Book That Has Influenced Me Most Name Institution The Book That Has Influenced Me Most I was in high school about twenty years ago when I started reading my favorite book, How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie, which has prominently shaped many aspects of my life. My interest was captured by this book as I started reading it not knowing that it was to play such an immense role in my life. The first publication of How to win friends and influence people was issued in 1936 and went on to be named nineteenth in the top100 books of all-time list by Time Magazine (“How to win friends and influence people in the digital age,” 2011). There are many valuable lessons which this book has taught me that have considerably impacted my relationship with many of my associates. For instance, it is by applying the simple but enlightening lessons outlined in this book that I was able to handle my classmates at school, so much so that I was chosen as the class representative in my first year in college and later as the student body president. Carnegie (1937) emphasizes several techniques necessary for proper handling of people including avoiding criticism, appreciating honestly and arousing in others an eager want to achieve something. He asserts that when people are humiliated they usually become irresponsive, defensive, and they dislike the critic. On the other hand, they will work at their best potential when sincerely appreciated (Carnegie, 1937). Additionally, this book became handy to me after graduating from college. As a graduate trainee, I was able to make many friends quickly who not only assisted me in learning relevant skills that I needed to develop my career but also gave me the recommendation that availed me my first job. Carnegie illustrates twelve ways one can win people to his way of thinking which I have learned to apply while relating to my colleagues at work. Lessons like showing respect to other people’s opinions, admitting quickly and emphatically when you are wrong, letting others talk more than you, dramatizing your ideas and throwing down a challenge to motivate people have immensely helped me in relating with my workmates (Carnegie & Pell, 1998). The simple but practical counsels I have acquired from reading this book have also shaped the way I relate to my family members. A section entitled seven rules for making your home life happier was included in the 1936 edition of this book but omitted from the revised 1981 edition (Carnegie, 1937). This section emphasizes that to make a happy family one should pay little attentions, avoid criticizing and nagging, be courteous and learn to give honest appreciation. These lessons have not only benefitted me but also many of my fr...