If there is one thing that I wished I had figured out earlier in life, it is that so called "soft skills" are, more often than not, more important than "hard skills" when it comes to your success. I spent quite a bit of time and energy scrutinizing the way in which I interract with others when I left the military; I knew that some of the habits I picked up in the Army were not going to fly in Corporate America. I've been going through the same exercise again as I prepare to leave the world of software development and head to business school. It is obvious to me that my success after school will be every bit as dependant upon my ability to build professional and personal relationships as it will be dependent on my ability to apply new skills that I learn in school.

With that goal in mind, , I read How to Win Friends and Influence People for my second time. I don't know of a book that does a better job of getting you to be more aware of how you relate to people than Dale Carnegie's classic. I have posted a review here. I think everyone can benefit from reading this book and almost any time in their life or career, but it could be especially beneficial for those of us who are heading back to school this summer. Add it to your summer reading list.

--Chris