The Learning Shift
The Learning Shift Podcast
The OG Playbook for Influence Still Holds Up
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The OG Playbook for Influence Still Holds Up

Decades later, Dale Carnegie’s principles still unlock powerful influence. But this isn’t about being charming—it’s about understanding human nature.

Featured Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Big Idea: Influence is earned through empathy, consistency, and the ability to make people feel seen—not managed.

Discussion Beats:

  • Why influence starts with genuine interest—and how to spot when you’re faking it

  • The power of names, listening, and small affirmations

  • What today’s leaders can learn from Carnegie’s rules (and what we should leave behind)

  • The difference between manipulation and authentic influence—and how to stay on the right side

Summary: Yes, it’s a classic—and yes, it still holds up. Carnegie’s advice centers on timeless human truths: people want to feel seen, respected, and valued. His principles (like remembering names, listening actively, avoiding criticism) might seem basic, but they remain wildly underutilized in today’s fast-paced, transactional workplaces. Read with a modern lens, this book is less about charm and more about empathy in action.

Closing Takeaway: People will follow you when they feel valued by you. Start there.

Core message: If you want influence, start by making people feel important. That’s not soft—that’s strategic.


You don’t need a title to lead—you need trust, clarity, and the guts to go first. This session is for the middle movers, the quiet instigators, and the cross-functional players who are done waiting for permission.


👉 Join us for Influence Without Authority — Mastering the Psychology of Buy-In.
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A quick note on how this content was created: To bring you thoughtful and timely insights, parts of this article were created with the help of AI tools, then reviewed and refined by a human (that's us!). We use technology to support clarity and creativity — but the heart of our content is always guided by experience, learning, and purpose. As always, we encourage you to explore these ideas with curiosity and critical thinking. If something sparks a question or you want to dig deeper, we’re here to keep the conversation going.

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