Leadership: Comparing Dale Carnegie's Insights with Modern Theories

This essay explores Dale Carnegie's leadership ideas from 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' and compares them with contemporary leadership theories discussed in a course textbook. It identifies similarities in influencing people and handling emotions, while also noting differences in directness and criticism. The author reflects on perceived leadership attributes, emphasizing vision, integrity, communication, and the importance of considering others' opinions. Ultimately, the essay concludes that effective leadership combines charismatic personality, visionary zeal, and the ability to understand and communicate with individuals, aligning with Carnegie's principles and remaining relevant in modern contexts. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this and other solved assignments.

Running head: DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND
COMPARISON
Dale Carnegie’s Idea of Leadership and Comparison
Name of the university
Name of the student
Author note

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DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPARISON
Abstract
The paper has elaborated the main theme of the book ‘how to win Friends and influence
people’ by Dale Carnegie. The idea of this book has been evaluated and compared with
leadership theories described in course. The course text book has various levels of similarity
with Carnegie’s idea. Considering both the ideas the most contemporary and effective
leadership approach has been discussed towards the end of this paper.

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DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPARISON
Part 1
Similarity of Books ideology with the leadership theory
Leaders possess different qualities than a common man have and likely to perform
even within most complicated situation. There are several traditional forms of leadership
theories including great man’s theory, trait theory, transformational theories and many more.
Whereas, great man’s theory suggest a man possesses leadership qualities right from his
birth. Characteristics like, intelligence, self-confidence, and ability to handle people are some
of the qualities of great leader. Trait theories believe whatever a man possesses it’s a slow
process of evolving a gathering traits like intelligence, potential of being communicative,
focused nature comes from regular experiences. The most inspirational and effective
leadership theory is more contemporary as well as an adaptive approach. Dale Carnegie in his
book How to Win Friends and Influence People before discussing about leadership has
elaborated various characteristics which initiate an individual to become a leader (Carnegie,
2017).
Similarity has been found on the context with provided text book Robbins and Judge
(2018), as both the leadership theories and the authors’ perspective of being a human being
with power of influencing people. It must be remembered that the job of a leader is to
influence people to think the way he/she wants. Therefore, it can be clearly spotted before
beginning with chapter four, where actually Carnegie discusses how to ‘Be a leader’, long
before that he has written tactics on how to handle people and how to influence their way of
thinking and perception too. Another similarity can be found when the author highlights a
leader’s characteristics to handle emptions of their people with the same weightage as a
leader invests time to influence them to a certain objective. As the most effective way of
influence both the contemporary theory and author has highlighted the role of
communication.
Part 2
Difference between two theories
Carnegie’s idea of leadership is to generate result from people without being
offensive. According to him, leaders’ must address mistakes indirectly and appreciation must
be honest. However, according to contemporary theory leaders as described in Robbins and
Judge (2018), leaders must have a consistent interactive relationship with workers. Through
communication, leaders can discuss both a victory and failure with same straight forward
manner with their people. Although, there is theories of dictatorship yet Carnegie suggests,
dictatorship reflects an offensive approach so asking questions and for opinions a leader can
approach in a better way.

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DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPARISON
The criticism theory of Carnegie suggests a great leader is not someone who has got
leadership qualities as a gift from heredity, great behaviour towards inferior is what makes a
man great in terms of leadership. It is not right for a leader to criticize rather it is more
influential to help people with the solution.
Part 3
Perceived leadership attributes in reflective way
Apart from the several histories recorded regarding leadership abilities and theories,
the contemporary approach of leadership depends on entirely on situation and individual’s
characteristics. No in born talent or training can grow the characteristics within. Still, these
can be adopted and can be developed by practice. I believe leaders need to have a vision
regarding future challenges and innovative ideas to accomplish goals. Consistent process of
maintaining integrity within organisation or with his/her people is necessary and teams must
be motivated by them for taking risks to receive benefits in future days. Apart from that
determination and strong communication skills make a good effective influential leader.
Confidence and honesty are two qualities which have been mentioned by the authors too.
Author have highlighted to be honest while appreciating someone’s good work. While taking
difficult decisions leaders have to be decisive and visionary ideas might help in this sector.
Moreover, communicating a bad news or addressing someone’s fault, whether in front of
everyone or in personal, they have to be diplomatic too. The persona must be charismatic in
terms of influencing the mass. The chief task of leaders is to influence people with individual
perception, handling them and leading them towards success.
While considering traits of ideal leader, I always consider leader’s ability to consider
opinions. In this point I am genuinely agree with the author that a leaders’ ability of
considering other’s opinion and evaluating the crisis or matter from their perspective as well
before taking decisions it will be helpful and more contemporary practice. They must be open
for all the suggestions, complains and a platform where people can project their good work
for certification or get assistance from.
The book is extremely well organised. The author has introduced basic and the most
necessary attributes of leadership by collecting examples deep down from historical sayings
of some of the greatest personalities. Good listening capability, giving value, greeting a
person with warmth these all are parts of leadership persona.
Therefore, it has been understood that people may have some training or people may
have background of leaders’ family yet a person who have a charismatic personality along
with leadership qualities can be able lead successfully. Depending on only training,
maintaining theories only no one can be a leader. It needs visionary zeal, characteristics
which cannot be taught. On the other hand, leaders cannot be born that way. They have to
consider immense study and experience to gain knowledge on people. Everyone is different

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DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPARISON
and so handling them becomes difficult at times. Therefore, I believe, communication must
be that strong in order to understand every people working under his/her instructions. Hence,
it can be said how to win friends and influence them is basically a guide on leadership
abilities and even in contemporary days the projected theories 1981 makes unarguably true
and relevant as well.

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DALE CARNEGIE’S IDEA OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPARISON
References
Carnegie, D. (2017). How to win friends & influence people. Musaicum Books.
Robbins, S., & Judge, T. (2018). Organizational Behavior, Global Edition. Harlow, United
Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited.