Who is Dale Carnegie?
Dale Carnegie (November 24, 1888 – November 1, 1955) was an American writer and lecturer and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. His books, including How to Win Friends and Influence People, have sold millions of copies and have been translated into more than 30 languages.
Carnegie was born in Marysville, Missouri, to a poor family. He worked as a salesman and public speaker before founding the Dale Carnegie Institute in 1912. The institute offered courses in public speaking, salesmanship, and interpersonal skills. Carnegie’s books and courses were based on his belief that people can improve their lives by developing their personal skills and relationships.
Carnegie died in New York City on November 1, 1955. He was 66 years old. His legacy continues through the Dale Carnegie Institute, which offers courses in more than 90 countries.
II. Early Life
Dale Carnegie was born in Maryville, Missouri, on November 24, 1888. He was the son of a poor farmer and his wife. Carnegie’s father died when he was only six years old, and his mother raised him and his siblings on her own.
Carnegie attended school in Maryville, but he did not do well academically. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade and went to work as a telegraph operator.
In 1908, Carnegie moved to New York City to pursue a career in sales. He worked for a variety of companies, but he was not very successful. In 1912, he founded his own sales training company, the Dale Carnegie Training Company.
III. Business Career
Dale Carnegie began his business career as a salesman for Armour & Company. He was successful in this role, but he became disillusioned with the cutthroat nature of the sales world. He left Armour & Company in 1912 to start his own business, the Dale Carnegie Training Company.
The Dale Carnegie Training Company offered courses in public speaking, salesmanship, and personal development. Carnegie’s courses were based on his principles of “win-win” negotiation, active listening, and positive thinking.
The Dale Carnegie Training Company was a huge success. Carnegie’s courses were taught in over 30 countries, and millions of people have taken them. Carnegie’s books, including “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living,” have sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
Carnegie’s business career was a testament to his ability to connect with people and teach them valuable skills. He was a pioneer in the field of personal development, and his work has had a lasting impact on millions of people.
IV. Writings
Dale Carnegie wrote several books on personal development and self-improvement, including:
* How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936)
* How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (1948)
* The Road to Happiness (1953)
* How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job (1964)
* Effective Speaking (1965)
* The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (1966)
* Developing Your Leadership Qualities (1969)
* How to Write and Speak Effectively (1973)
* The Power of Positive Thinking (1990)
Carnegie’s books have sold over 30 million copies and have been translated into more than 30 languages. They have been praised for their practical advice and inspiring stories, and they have helped millions of people to improve their lives.
V. Personal Life
Dale Carnegie was married to Louise Watkins from 1919 until her death in 1947. They had two children together, a son named Dale Carnegie Jr. and a daughter named Dorothy Carnegie. After Louise’s death, Carnegie married a second time to a woman named Arlene Williams in 1949. They remained married until Carnegie’s death in 1955.
Carnegie was a lifelong learner and was always interested in new ideas. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the National Speakers Association. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Society and the National Academy of Sciences.
Carnegie was a devout Christian and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was also a supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way.
Carnegie died of a heart attack on November 1, 1955, at the age of 65. He was buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
VI. Legacy
Dale Carnegie’s legacy is one of a successful businessman, author, and lecturer. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into dozens of languages. His principles of personal development and interpersonal skills have been adopted by businesses and individuals alike. Carnegie’s work has had a profound impact on the way people think about themselves and their relationships with others.
Carnegie’s legacy is also one of controversy. Some critics have accused him of being manipulative and of promoting a superficial view of human relationships. Others have praised him for his insights into human nature and for his ability to help people improve their lives.
Despite the controversy, there is no doubt that Dale Carnegie was a major figure in the history of self-help and personal development. His work continues to inspire and motivate people around the world.
VII. Criticism
Dale Carnegie’s principles and methods have been criticized by some for being manipulative and superficial. Critics argue that Carnegie’s focus on self-improvement and personal success is at the expense of morality and social responsibility. They also argue that Carnegie’s methods are based on a simplistic view of human nature and that they do not take into account the complex factors that contribute to success.
Despite these criticisms, Dale Carnegie’s principles and methods have been widely adopted by businesses and individuals alike. His books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into dozens of languages. Carnegie’s work has also been praised by a number of prominent figures, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Dalai Lama.
VIII. Impact
Dale Carnegie’s books and teachings have had a profound impact on the world. His principles of interpersonal communication have been adopted by businesses, schools, and individuals around the globe. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold over 50 million copies.
Carnegie’s work has been praised for its practical advice and its ability to help people improve their lives. However, it has also been criticized for being superficial and for promoting a self-help mentality.
Despite the criticism, there is no doubt that Dale Carnegie has had a positive impact on the world. His work has helped millions of people to improve their relationships, their careers, and their lives.
IX. Bibliography
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1936.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1948.
* Carnegie, Dale. The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking. New York: Pocket Books, 1962.
* Carnegie, Dale. Lincoln the Unknown. New York: Pocket Books, 1963.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job. New York: Pocket Books, 1964.
* Carnegie, Dale. The Eternal Optimist. New York: Pocket Books, 1965.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking. New York: Pocket Books, 1966.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done. New York: Pocket Books, 1967.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Build a Happy Marriage. New York: Pocket Books, 1968.
* Carnegie, Dale. How to Achieve Happiness and Peace of Mind. New York: Pocket Books, 1969.