Coming soon: What Would Dale Do?

Foreword: Why this was written + what to expect + how to read it

It was 1936 and America was in the midst of The Great Depression when Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People (HTWFAIP). Amid all the socio, environmental, and political shifts happening at the time, there was an overwhelming demand for tools to deal with other people. None existed. And so Dale wrote the foundational text:

Fast Forward 74 years, it’s 2010: I first got started in recruiting, and my boss recommended I read HTWFAIP. Like any good 20-something, I procrastinated terribly, but once I opened the book, and followed (more accurately, interpreted) its dated instructions (references to Abraham Lincoln, Carnegie Mellon, and Ben Franklin abound), it changed my life. I had always been fascinated by people, and just as equally perplexed by them, and Dale’s “ancient wisdom” was easy, intuitive, and effective to do what he promised: win friends, and influence people. 

These days, there’s so much talk about robots. And yet, it’s just as, if not more, important to be able to work well with other people. What Would Dale Do? will help you do that. (Someone else will certainly write about the robots).

HTWFAIP gave me a language and framework for handling people. When I was first practicing the tactics learned from the book, the people who worked with me would hear me ask aloud: “What would Dale do?” It was through this lens, and practical application, that I learned how to be a darn ass recruiter, and how to influence effectively in complex, high-performing, and occasionally political environments. My approach was first informed by Dale, then instructed and inspired by many others. I’m writing this series to share these methods for people-puzzle problem-solving, and, to endeavor to shorten the learning curve for someone else. A few things to note about what’s coming next: 

• You’ll see a lot of analogies. Sometimes they’re combined together into “super analogies” for extra color and enthusiasm. Many find these endearing and enjoyable. It’s just how my brain works, for better or worse. Take and use the ones you like; toss the ones you don’t. 

• I borrow wisdom enthusiastically, and one of my favorite things to do is share good quotes. Everything from others is cited to the best of my recollection and research. 

• Sometimes you will find drawings + diagrams to complement or supplement the text for visual learners like myself.

• HTWFAIP shows its age with male-centric pronouns; I write using the singular “they” for simplicity and inclusion. 

My goals in writing this series are to help you: 1.) Strengthen your ability to work with a broader range of people, 2.) Influence better ideas into selection, and 3.) Align your team to win. Hopefully you’ll gain some friends and become a better recruiter too – whether or not you do that job professionally. 

“This is an action book” - Dale Carnegie