In his 1937 classic How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie wrote, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
While Carnegie’s advice centers on friendship and sales, our research shows that you can apply the same principles to build better relationships with your spouse, your siblings, your children, your boss—anyone who plays a significant role in your life.
That’s because everybody wants to feel valued and appreciated.
So focus on being interested, not interesting.
Related blog posts
- How to Have Better Conversations With Your Partner, and Just About Anyone Else
- 3 Research-Based Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship
- How to Listen Without Getting Defensive
The Relationship Minute From The Gottman Institute, dated 28 February 2019. You can sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
