Dale Carnegie courses

[btrage]

If the mods think this is more appropriate in the Career Advive sub-forum, please move it.

I will soon be taking a 12-week long, employer paid, Dale Carnegie Course.

http://www.dalecarnegie.com/

Others in my organization have taken the course and have gave it mixed reviews. I was wondering if anyone here has taken Dale Carnegie courses and what their opinon of them is. I tend to be a cynical person about these things, especially based on how much it costs to take a Dale Carnegie course. My first thought is that a lot of the tools that you learn in such a course, are tools that planners must inherently have. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Any thoughts?

[giff57]

I have had a short one day course. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I could handle it for 12 weeks.....

[Maister]

Dale Carnegie courses have been around for years and years. Don't know of any planners that have taken them, though.

Never took a Dale Carnegie course but read the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" about 20 years ago. I had a friend who took the course. He suffered from extreme shyness and thought maybe taking the course would help him come out of his shell. It seemed to make a difference...for about a week. Then he was back to his old quiet self again.

Some folks have criticized the Dale Carnegie method and consider it little more than platitudes. Similar criticisms have also been made of Steven Covey ("7 Habits of Highly Effective People"). I guess it's like any other seminar, one can experience the biggest paradigm shift in the world while one is sitting there listening to the charismatic speaker, but that doesn't mean a thing unless one applies the lessons to their actual life. Kinda of a spiritual thing if you think about it.

[donk]

I guess it's like any other seminar, one can experience the biggest paradigm shift in the world while one is sitting there listening to the charismatic speaker, but that doesn't mean a thing unless one applies the lessons to their actual life. Kinda of a spiritual thing if you think about it.

I would whole heartedly agree. If you don't use it you lose it. One of teh courses I am taking really focusses on using what you learn immediately and often so it "takes".

One thing I have found with the changes I haev been making for myself is that you will revert if you let yourself, so you have to stay vigilant if you want to change.

[The One]

I took the two day seminar on High Impact Presentations......that cost about $1,300!!! I can't imagine how much money a twelve week course would run...... Less than a year later, they were advertising the same seminar for less than 1/2 the cost

Here's an idea.....why not go get a Graduate Certificate in some subject?? Or even pay for a large part of tuition for a 30 credit hour masters degree in ancient egyptian contraceptive methods..... (At a state University of course.... )

[donk]

Here's an idea.....why not go get a Graduate Certificate in some subject?? Or even pay for a large part of tuition for a 30 credit hour masters degree in ancient egyptian contraceptive methods..... (At a state University of course.... )

Where I work, they will pay for course such as DC, but not accredited education. Go figure.

[Magnetica]

I HAD to take the Dale Carnegie 3 month long course bec our company made it compulsory for all management folks - it was a test in endurance. If you're insufferably shy, it will probably help with being more confident or comfortable in public situations. But otherwise, it's 3-4 hrs per week of a time-waste. And yes, it's chock full of platitudes. I mean, most people (even the unapologetically rude ones) already know they should not be rude, insulting, etc to other people - they don't need Dale Carnegie to remind them of basic interpersonal skills.

I guess most people at my ex-company were quite introverted (none of the managers would take action against hourly labourers bec they didn't want to confront the workers about mis-conduct!) and they noticed that the Dale C course forced them to learn how to speak publicly but that was about it. However, they continued to ignore the fact that the workers ignore them and their rules. Oh well.

Would I recommend this course? NO.

[Salmissra]

Instead of a 12-week, one shot course, why don't employers try a long-term, less expensive option of Toastmasters International? I've been involved for a long time, and I find that the skills learned there stick. You learn leadership (through club positions), speaking, thinking on your feet, and some time management. There's also the self-confidence boost.

[Magnetica]

If the mods think this is more appropriate in the Career Advive sub-forum, please move it.

I will soon be taking a 12-week long, employer paid, Dale Carnegie Course.

http://www.dalecarnegie.com/

Others in my organization have taken the course and have gave it mixed reviews. I was wondering if anyone here has taken Dale Carnegie courses and what their opinon of them is. I tend to be a cynical person about these things, especially based on how much it costs to take a Dale Carnegie course. My first thought is that a lot of the tools that you learn in such a course, are tools that planners must inherently have. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Any thoughts?

Hi! Have you started the Dale Carnegie course you mentioned? If you have, what are your thoughts so far?

[mani]

i slept halfway through reading "how to win frnds n influence ppl".

[btrage]

Well, I'm about 2/3 of the way done with my course, and I would not recommend Dale Carnegie for everyone.

Sure, if you are horribly shy and introverted, a class such as this would help with that.

I can sum up the entire thing in one sentence...

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I don't need a 12 week course or book to tell me that.

[WouldBePlanner]

I've had a couple of friends go through Dale Carnegie courses. Their basic opinion was that they are overhyped and NOT worth what they cost. I think it also depends on the person as far as what they might get out of it. But for what they charge, no thanks.

[Fherchick]

I attended most of the 12 week program and I would tell people it is remedial interpersonal communication. If you want to waste 4 hrs at night every week and spend $2000 to hold hands and jump up and down. This is for you. This class is ridiculous and a waste of time and money. The instructor treats adults like pre schoolers. You basically prepare 2 minute speeches every week and then sit and listen to people who can barely speak stumble over their words. If I had any advice it would be to save your time and money!