Instead of focusing on criticism, one of the most influential books "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, teaches readers to appreciate others and their contributions, which can have a positive impact on both personal and professional relationships.
Here are some tips from the book on how to replace criticism with appreciation to influence others in your life and others:

Don’t Criticize, Condemn or Complain

The book advises against criticizing others, which can lead to negative feelings and damage relationships. Instead, focus on positive attributes and actions. For example, if a colleague makes a mistake, try to find something positive to say about their work in general or offer constructive feedback helpfully.

Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation

People respond positively to genuine compliments and recognition for their work. Take the time to show appreciation for a job well done, and make sure your compliments are specific and sincere. It can be something as simple as saying: "Great job!

Show Empathy

Try to understand other people's perspectives and feelings. Instead of criticizing someone who is upset, try to show empathy and offer support. This can help build trust and strengthen relationships.

Listen Actively

One of the most important aspects of building relationships is being a good listener. When you actively listen to others, you show that you value their opinions and ideas. This can lead to stronger connections and better communication.

Encourage Others

Instead of focusing on what someone is doing wrong, try to encourage people to do better. Offer positive reinforcement and support to help them achieve their goals. This can be a great way to build trust and motivate others.

 

This article is part of our Business Coaching blog series. At Dataczar we talk to a lot of small businesses. We’ve found a few books that we keep recommending time and again. To better help our customers, we’ve added a Reading List for Small Businesses to our website. We encourage every small business owner to read and keep these timeless business books on their office shelf.

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