Along the journey in staffing, business, life, and change are moments where you may need a momentary inward compass realignment.  I repeatedly find myself returning time and time and time again to these powerful principles that continue to guide me even when I know winds of change coming from the political forces at both a macro, business, environment et al, will buffet me to a new place.

Try as we might, no one can escape in staffing the pull of the people factor, nor can they escape the power of HR, as I have watched in these years in my career individuals with varying worldviews come knocking on the door, I have known inwardly that I must continue to keep true to my own convictions, even when I know my opinions may or may not be popular, sometimes it is knowing what is right and being true to it, that makes a difference daily. 

I cheerfully remember when I took the Dale Carnegie course in 2009, as it gave me a fresh perspective, and outlined for me how I should try and strive to live.  There are those who will within their mindseye scour how best to maneuver and will at times take the short view of their environment, including those they work with without a firm resolve as to what sets a key momentum building direction.  I know all too well when things get difficult how individuals in one's immediate environment may forget the past success and then try and explain every which way something should or shouldn't have gone.

It is now more than ever when folks need a direction and to shine the light in this economy and what's more best the dragons of doubt and deliberate stonewalling that is all but inevitable when challenge arises.  It's then I return to a well known road map, known as Dale Carnegie's Golden Book, they are real patterns and outcomes, convictions and priceless truths that in any situation, outcome, direction, or change still ring vitally true - as I myself change in these ever rumbling new days ahead I am reminded of where I can be, when I firmly resolve that nothing will take me from these core principles:

Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

1. Don't criticize, condemn, or complain.
2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.
4. Never show others that you are not interested in what they have to say.

Six Ways to Make People Like You

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile.
3. Remember that a person's name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interest.
6. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.

Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking

1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say "You're Wrong."
3. If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Start with questions to which the other person will answer yes.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel the idea is his or hers.
8. Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
9. Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
10. Appeal to the nobler motives.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.

Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise every improvement.
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.

It is without a doubt every one of these poignant points and disciplined approaches builds success in staffing.  I can't help but pass on how many times I have returned to these points again and again.

As the relative environment changes around me, as individuals come forward with changing outcomes, as the world transforms itself daily, one thing will remain constant, that fundamentally focused efforts on cultivating outcomes that allow others to be their best by not being manipulative, by being focused and true to the human course with applied methods from Dale Carnegie's brilliant approaches, there can be no doubt that when every focused effort is cultivated with these aims in mind, that great outcomes follow. I have faced down folks who would lose thier focus and give in to a short term feel good mentality, but when one takes the long view, when one focuses on leaving everyone they touch in thier career with these focused efforts allowing others to achieve the greatness they so desire, it is then that moments of new achievement, and outcomes pushed forward there are made visible, and the desired direction becomes realized.

I without a doubt know just how important these are to the whole career mindset, and to the organization of one's hope.  Positive focus is the most powerful element of staffing, one may possess technical acumen and outcomes, but if your focus is lost without a positive directional beacon by pushing firmly in the direction with Dale Carnegie principles at the forefront, well it is then that great staffing outcomes are brought to pass.

While 50-75% of staffing may be finding the individual, the other 50 or so percent is based on one's commitment to positive win wins, with manager, candidate, department, and a customer service approach that does "Win Friends and Influence People." There is no doubt in my mind as I have seen the results time and time again that Dale Carnegie Principles will continue to be a powerful success factor for every staffing professional.