Beginning with praise is like the dentist who begins his work with Novocain. The patient still gets a drilling, but the Novocain is painkilling. – Dale Carnegie

begin with praise!

If we have to find fault with another and convey news that might not be palatable to their ego then how should we do it? We can start by genuinely praising the individual. This sets the stage to deliver the harsh truth. It opens the individual up to receive the truth about their actions. Let’s be practitioners of the ‘Art of Relationships’!

leadership principles

22nd Dale Carnegie Principle: Begin with praise and honest appreciation..

Here’s a story from the book:

A friend of mine was a guest at the White House for a weekend during the administration of Calvin Coolidge. Drifting into the President’s private office, he heard Coolidge say to one of his secretaries, "That’s a pretty dress you are wearing this morning, and you are a very attractive young woman."
That was probably the most effusive praise Silent Cal had ever bestowed upon a secretary in his life. It was so unusual, so unexpected, that the secretary blushed in confusion. Then Coolidge said, "Now, don’t get stuck up. I just said that to make you feel good. From now on, I wish you would be a little bit more careful with your Punctuation."
His method was probably a bit obvious, but the psychology was superb. It is always easier to listen to unpleasant things after we have heard some praise of our good points.

Daily Affirmation: Today I praise first!

Recommendation: How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie