How to Win Friends & Influence People (Essay Sample)

Book Review
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Introduction
The book How to Win Friends & Influence People provides relevant pointers on some of the ways in which to win friends and be a beloved among people. According to author, a lot of people seek emotional success. Emotional success is the ability to influence people in a positive way. Notably so, the author effectively illustrates some of the most effective ways to influence people and build long lasting relationships. The author pinpoints some of the ways in which to influence people and this book review illustrates the effects of such ways at an individual and social level.
Application to organizational behaviour concepts/theories
One of the most consistent theories discussed by the author is the pursuit of happiness economically and socially. However, several questions manifest. For instance, does the pursuit of happiness depend on building friendships or acquiring mass wealth? This book review provides the groundwork to answer such questions. The author identifies the aspect of contemporary psychology. Psychologically, the author identifies attitude as a huge determinant when pursuing happiness. Emphasising on his statement, the author compares it to chasing wind. However, such a statement is rhetorical since true happiness is from within through having a positive attitude.
A positive attitude is realizing that true happiness is not acquiring great wealth or huge capital, but achieving inner peace. For example, the author is of the view that pursuit of money and power is futile. The author restates that self satisfaction is the state of happiness in a human being, and it is not achieved from great wealth or highest degree of learning. According to the author, the essence of satisfaction is the ultimate determinant of true happiness. More significantly, the pursuance of material things is viewed as a waste of resources and time by the author (Carnegie, 1937).
The author provides a clear stand regarding his opinion on true achievement. However, current researchers occasionally contradict with the author’s views. For example, there are modern philosophers claiming that modern happiness is achieved through acquiring a rich status and position within the society. According to the author, such premises are misleading, unjustified and not applicable within the society. The premises of the author are precise stating that true happiness is changing a person’s attitude concerning wealth and money. More so, focusing on achieving inner peace through meaningful relationships with other people is also stressed by the author (Bitner, 1995).
Influencing people in a positive way is quite important, and there is a need to identify the link between different age groups and relationships that are existent. For instance, it is very unlikely for a 25 year-old to positively influence a 55 year-old. Notably so, it is vital to identify some of the ways in which different age groups can be positively influenced. Considering the people who are of the age of 55 and 60, one finds that most of them are normally uninterested in the various media available (McAlexander and Koenig, 2002). On the other hand, the young people mainly relate through social media. As such, it is evident that there is a social and political divide which does exist between the young people and the old generation. Most of the young generation prefers to actually communicate through social sites available on the internet. The old generation normally prefers to use the normal means of communication like newspapers, books, television and radio. As such, most of the information found on internet media will eventually reach the young people, as opposed to the aged. Essential to this book review, it is vital to identify the age difference and determine what ways are effective to positively influence depending on age.
The book provides counsel to government leaders on handling media to build effective relationships with subjects concerned. Media television is specifically designed to serve a large audience. Television, manuscripts and books, internet, pre-recorded video and speech, music, film, mobile phones and video games are today regarded as media. Analysts have admitted that media yields extraordinary powers to entertain, educate and inform. Television programming is meant to entertain, educate and inform the masses, and known to play a main role in forming or changing people’s opinion towards subjects or objects. For instance, the government officials can make use of the media during their presentations regarding social and political issues. Immense power is known to accompany media owners; they have control over the content of printed or broadcasted news. Significantly, common knowledge has it that mass media bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. Citizens and government bodies can actually use the platform as a way of building relationships economically and socially (McAlexander and Koenig, 2002).
Political news and announcements are regularly encountered on all forms of media and the internet especially during campaigns. Media platforms also provide a forum for the general public to discuss relevant issues which are of national interest. In overall, internet associations do remain an important means through which people get information regarding the performance of their governments atop other services offered. While the importance of internet media as the government’s watchdog cannot be undermined, it is also noted that sometimes media presents information in a biased way to influence the public in making decisions which may not be beneficial (Duncan and Moriaty, 1998).
The impact of the book and its practical value
One of the issue which can be considered as a guarantee is the fact that the liberty of a person is driven by his/her personality. Depending on whether an individual is anxious, patient, loving or aggressive, such personality traits constitute the ways in which an individual relates with other people. Notably so, this book review provides a practical aspect where individuals are given guidelines on the various ways of positively influencing people. The lack of knowledge leads to hollow relations among people. However, the author restates that the mind is the ultimate driver in a person. Depending on the feelings present in an individual, they are reflected in how the person handles other people around him/her. The guidelines provided in the book are effective enough and a thorough follow will lead to a peaceful coexistence hence I would recommend the book to other people. M