Dale Carnegie grew up in a small town in Missouri in the early 20th century. He was the quintessential introvert - skinny, unsportsmanlike and nervous.
But when a speaker from the adult education movement visited Carnegie's hometown, he was fascinated by Carnegie's talent. Later in college, he was also impressed by a public speaking contest winner who was seen as a future leader.
Carnegie was an ambitious man and worked hard to improve his skills. rice field. Over time, he became a master speaker and a celebrity on campus. After graduating from college, he became a traveling bacon and soap salesman, winning customers across America with his charming smile and firm handshake. He later founded the Dale Carnegie Institute to help businessmen overcome their fears.
Interestingly, Carnegie's transformation reflects a general shift in 20th-century America: a shift in values from rural to urban.
In nineteenth-century America, communities were small and tightly knit. If you work hard, are polite, and care about your fellow citizens, you will earn the respect and admiration of your community. I didn't need to draw attention to myself or declare who I was. Everyone in the community could see it with their own eyes.
However, the economic boom of the early 20th century destroyed these social structures. More and more people were moving from the countryside to the anonymity of the bustling metropolis, dominated by the motto, "If you want to attract others, you have to know how to market yourself."
The New Ideal of Success Americans meant being seen as bold, open-minded, friendly to others, playful with their charm, and intelligent.