Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie[1†]

Dale Carnegie, originally named Dale Harbison Carnagey, was an American writer and lecturer, and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills[1†][2†]. Born into poverty on a farm in Missouri on November 24, 1888[1†][2†], he managed to transform his early struggles into a legacy of empowering others through effective communication and personal development.

Early Years and Education

Dale Carnegie, originally named Dale Harbison Carnagey, was born into poverty on a farm in Missouri on November 24, 1888[2†][3†]. His parents were John William Carnagey and Amanda Elizabeth Carnagey[2†][3†]. From a young age, Carnegie had to contribute to his family’s livelihood, waking up at four in the morning to milk the family cows before going to school[2†][3†].

Carnegie attended Rose Hill and then Harmony, both one-room schools[2†][3†]. In 1904, he and his family moved to a farm in Warrensburg[2†][3†]. During his high school years, he discovered that he was not athletically gifted but was above-average in public speaking[2†][3†]. Despite his shabby appearance and ill-fitting clothes, he managed to make friends due to his way with words[2†][3†].

After high school, he enrolled at the State Teacher’s College in Warrensburg[2†][3†]. However, he continued to stay at home for two years before he graduated in 1908 as he was unable to afford room and board[2†][3†]. During his time at college, he was active in debating clubs[2†]. He was much impressed by a ‘Chautauqua’ lecture speaker’s style and decided to emulate him[2†][3†].

After graduating, he became a salesman in Nebraska and an actor in New York City[2†]. Eventually, he began teaching public speaking at the YMCA[2†]. His classes became extremely successful, and Carnegie began lecturing to packed houses[2†].

Career Development and Achievements

After graduating from State Teacher’s College in Warrensburg in 1908[1†][2†], Dale Carnegie started his career as a salesman in Nebraska[1†][2†]. He was successful to the point of making his sales territory of South Omaha, Nebraska, the national leader for the firm[1†].

In 1911, Carnegie quit sales to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Chautauqua lecturer[1†]. However, he ended up attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, but found little success as an actor[1†].

Carnegie then began teaching public speaking at the YMCA[1†][4†][1†][5†][2†]. His classes became extremely successful, and Carnegie began lecturing to packed houses[1†][4†][2†]. He later expanded his classes to YMCAs in Philadelphia and Baltimore, and even taught independently at hotels in London, Paris, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore[1†][5†].

Carnegie’s career took a significant turn when he developed courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills[1†][4†][1†]. His courses and the small booklets he wrote to go along with them became extremely popular[1†][5†].

In 1936, Carnegie authored “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, a bestseller that remains popular today[1†][4†][1†]. He also wrote “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” (1948), “Lincoln the Unknown” (1932), and several other books[1†][4†][1†]. His books and courses have had a profound impact on the field of personal development, with a focus on how changing one’s behavior can influence the behavior of others[1†][4†][1†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Dale Carnegie’s literary contributions have had a significant impact on the field of self-improvement and interpersonal skills. Here are some of his main works:

• “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (1936): This is Carnegie’s most popular book, which remains a bestseller even today[6†]. The book provides practical advice on how to handle people, how to make them like you, how to win them to your way of thinking, and how to change people without arousing resentment[6†].
• “How To Enjoy Your Life And Your Job” (1948): This book provides a set of practical formulas you can put to work today to make life more enjoyable both on and off the job[6†].
• “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” (1948): In this book, Carnegie offers practical advice and a set of techniques to overcome worry and lead a wonderful life[6†]. The book focuses on fundamental emotions and life-changing affirmations that can make a real difference in our lives[6†].
• “How to Develop Self-Confidence And Influence People By Public Speaking” (1905): This book provides practical advice and techniques for how to become an effective speaker and influencer through the use of public speaking[6†].
• “The Art of Public Speaking” (1915): This book teaches the readers how to express themselves effectively and convincingly in front of an audience. It also provides the readers with the tools to overcome stage fright and the fear of public speaking[6†].
• “Lincoln the Unknown” (1932): A biography of Abraham Lincoln, which provides a vivid and personal description of Abraham Lincoln’s life and work[6†].

Each of these works has contributed to Dale Carnegie’s reputation as a pioneer of the self-help genre, and they continue to be widely read and respected for their timeless wisdom and practical advice[6†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Dale Carnegie’s work has been widely recognized for its profound impact on the field of self-improvement and interpersonal skills. His books, particularly “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living”, have been analyzed and praised for their practical wisdom and actionable advice[7†][8†].

“How to Win Friends and Influence People”, published in 1936, is considered one of the best nonfiction books of all time[7†][8†]. Carnegie wrote this book when he realized that many people wanted to learn about self-confidence when interacting with others[7†][8†]. The ideas in his book were getting his students contracts, significant influence among their peers, and better marriage and working relationships[7†][8†]. The book emphasizes the importance of relationships in business success and provides practical advice on maintaining good relationships both in business and life in general[7†][8†].

“How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” has been analyzed using the contemporary conceptualization of psychological capital (PsyCap)[7†]. The components of the PsyCap construct resonate well with the prescriptions that Carnegie outlined in his book[7†]. This book offers practical advice and a set of techniques to overcome worry and lead a wonderful life[7†].

Carnegie’s work has been instrumental in shaping the self-help genre. His teachings continue to influence millions around the world, and his books are still widely read and respected for their timeless wisdom and practical advice[7†][8†].

Personal Life

Dale Carnegie’s personal life was marked by his relationships and family. His first wife was Lolita Beaucaire, whom he married in 1927 and divorced in 1931[9†]. In 1944, he married Dorothy Price Vanderpool[9†]. From his marriage to Dorothy, he had a daughter named Donna Dale[9†]. He also had a stepdaughter, Rosemary, from Vanderpool’s first marriage[9†].

Despite his professional success, Carnegie faced health challenges later in life. On November 1, 1955, Dale Carnegie died of Hodgkin’s Disease[9†].

Carnegie’s personal life, like his professional one, was characterized by his ability to connect with others and his enduring influence on the field of personal development.

Conclusion and Legacy

Dale Carnegie’s legacy is as strong as ever. He defined success as getting what you want, and happiness as wanting what you get[10†]. For decades, millions have turned to his books and training courses for help becoming as successful and happy as Carnegie himself[10†]. His practical guides became must-read works for managers and salespeople all over the world[10†]. In particular, his seminal “How to Win Friends and Influence People” became the gold standard for succeeding in the business world[10†].

Carnegie’s work focuses on how you can influence the behavior of others by changing your own behavior, with an emphasis on the power of a positive mental attitude[10†]. Released during the Great Depression, Carnegie’s enshrinement of positivity as the keystone to success resonated with readers looking for a way to improve their own lots in life[10†].

By the time of his death in 1955, over five million copies of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” had been sold in 31 languages, and the book continues to sell well today[10†]. Carnegie’s training program is now available online as well as at training centers around the world, allowing Dale Carnegie company to continue winning friends and influencing the leaders of tomorrow[10†].

With a roster of over 8 million graduates, Dale Carnegie company is dedicated to serving the business community worldwide. Currently, there are over 2,700 professional trainers who deliver Dale Carnegie courses in over 85 countries and 30 languages[10†][11†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Dale Harbison Carnagey[1†]
• Born: November 24, 1888, Maryville, Missouri, U.S[1†]
• Died: November 1, 1955, Forest Hills, New York, U.S[1†]
• Nationality: American[1†]
• Occupation: Writer, lecturer[1†]
• Notable Works: “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (1936), “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” (1948), and several other books[1†]
• Notable Achievements: Carnegie was a pioneer in the field of public speaking and the psychology of the successful personality. His courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills are still influential today[1†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Dale Carnegie [website] - link
2. Britannica - Dale Carnegie: American author and lecturer [website] - link
3. The Famous People - Dale Carnegie Biography [website] - link
4. Dale Carnegie - Careers [website] - link
5. Wikipedia (English) - How to Win Friends and Influence People [website] - link
6. Goodreads - Author: Books by Dale Carnegie (Author of How to Win Friends and Influence People) [website] - link
7. Emerald Insight - Narrative analysis of Dale Carnegie's How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Using psychological capital as the analytical framework [website] - link
8. Book Analysis - How to Win Friends and Influence People - Book Analysis [website] - link
9. SunSigns - Dale Carnegie Biography, Life, Interesting Facts [website] - link
10. Legacy.com - Dale Carnegie [website] - link
11. Dale Carnegie - Heritage [website] - link