How To Win Friends and Influence People

by Dale Carnegie

‘I recently decided to let our seasonal personnel go with a little more tact and consideration. So I call each one in only after carefully thinking over his or her work during the winter. And I’ve said something like this: “Mr. Smith, you’ve done a fine job (if he has). That time we sent you to Newark, you had a tough assignment. You were on the spot, but you came through with flying colours, and we want you to know the firm is proud of you. You’ve got the stuff—you’re going a long way, wherever you’re working. This firm believes in you, and is rooting for you, and we don’t want you to forget it.” ‘Effect? The people go away feeling a lot better about being fired. They don’t feel “let down.” They know if we had work for them, we’d keep them on. And when we need them again, they come to us with a keen personal affection.’