Do you consider yourself more likable than the next person? Do you go out of your way to help others and are never too busy to offer a shoulder to cry on? There are two kinds of people in this world: self-absorbed and those who consider their fellow man.
Why is it that the people in life who are rude, blunt, and very impolite are the ones that climb the corporate ladder with ease? If you consider the most successful business owners, you will likely encounter someone who is not afraid to be pushy and manipulative to get where they are today. Now, not everyone is like that as there are plenty of good people in this world.
However, it takes moxie to get to the top, and these people aren’t usually likable. When you’re building both business and personal relationships, you want to engage with folks who are pleasurable to be around. Individuals who have a pleasant personality, are polite, modest, and agreeable are the genuinely likable ones.
Behaviors of Those More Likeable
Why are individuals more enthralled with those who have these endearing qualities over someone assertive and impolite? How do you think that others view you? Do they see you as someone who is true blue, or do they shy away from you? Here is a list of ten behaviors that you should consider to help make you more likable.
1. Laughter is Commonplace
The difference between them and other individuals is they laugh off their wrongdoings and try not to make the same blunder again. They don’t care if they look silly and are in situations where they didn’t show their better side. These happenstances make great stories to share with others.
This person’s oddity is that people respect them more for being so jolly and open rather than thinking they’re weird. To be more like this person, it’s okay to admit when you screwup, and it’s okay to let your guard down on occasion.
Remember the old saying that when you laugh, the world laughs with you, but when you cry, you will cry alone? It’s easy to see why this rhetoric is so accurate. Plus, laughter is always good medicine for the mind, body, and spirit.
2. They’ve Never Met A Stranger
Some folks are social butterflies. They talk and share their opinions with you, but they also want to know what you think. They have an innate ability to make others open up to them.
Their superpower is in making people feel like they are valued, and their opinion counts. To be a budding socialite, ask sincere questions to your friends or coworkers and engage in good conversation. These people can talk for hours to someone they meet during a chance encounter.
To get to this level, you must learn to engage with others with interesting conversation and a friendly tone. These people never want for friends as they have an extensive social circle.
3. Respect for Others
To be more likable, you must learn the value of respect. Simple things like maintaining eye contact, smiling frequently, and never cutting someone short when they’re speaking will go a long way to make you approachable. Hone in on the non-verbal cues that can keep you in tune with the conversation and help you bond.
4. Say Less and Listen More
One of the most frustrating things about some folks is their incessant chatter about themselves. They want to tell you all about their life, but they’re never seems to be a time in the conversation for you to talk about yours. Being respectful of another human being means that they get a chance to speak too.
The people that tend to talk about themselves continuously are the ones who are usually self-centered or narcissistic, and you don’t want them as a friend. To make yourself more likable to others, give them the floor to speak to. What they have to say is just as valuable as your commentary.
5. Be Vulnerable
There’s nothing worse than someone who tries to one-up you by bragging about their success. These people may talk about all their connections, the things they’ve accomplished, and they want to engage in chatter about who’s more successful.
These unstated competitions are unsavory, and if you want to be more likable, you will avoid them. These people won’t ever admit that they have a weakness or have failed in things. If you do something great, their life’s events will always be greater than yours.
To avoid being unlikable, you need to share your successes with others and be willing to congratulate theirs. If you’re confident enough within yourself, then you won’t mind being a little vulnerable. You won’t need to impress folks with artificial or embellished stories, as they will like you for who you are.
6. Avoid Name Dropping
If you want to be more likable, then don’t flatter people by name dropping. Sure, you met Bon Jovi at a concert once, but your friends don’t want to hear about it continuously. Folks who always want to point out the “big wigs” they’ve encountered in life are bragging.
Bragging is annoying, and it’s not an enduring behavior. Sure, it’s exciting if you get to meet someone famous or rub elbows with someone great, but telling your friends once is all that’s needed. Likable people may hobnob with the rich and famous and have connections, but they don’t talk about it incessantly.
7. Always Remember Names
There’s nothing worse than forgetting a name you should remember. It’s essential to remember the smallest of details as they make you feel proud of yourself. Plus, people love it when others can remember the names of their kids, dogs, spouse, and all those little things they’ve discussed before.
Most important, don’t forget the person’s name as that makes you seem ingenuine. Folks place individuals in their inner circle for their willingness to engage with them in life, and how can you develop a relationship if you can’t even remember their name?
8. Be Agreeable
No one likes indifferent people, and some might call these folks contrary. If everyone in the office wants McDonald’s for lunch, they’re the ones that want Subway. They are always going against the flow and trying to cause disagreements.
Now, you don’t want someone that agrees with everything and doesn’t have an opinion, but you don’t want a person that is always going in the opposite direction either. If you’re going to be more reliable, then learn how to agree to disagree in life. It’s okay to share your views, but don’t turn a difference of opinion into an argument.
9. Be Kind
One good gauge about how people treat others is to take them to a restaurant. Observe how they act with the server. Are they demanding, indifferent, and speak to staff members as if they’re beneath them?
The server test is a great way to see someone’s true colors. If they treat the wait staff in this manner, then you can guarantee that they will eventually treat you that way too. If you want to be likable, servers should always be worthy of your respect and kindness, even if there are minor issues.
10. Effectively Use the Power of Touching
Did you know that touch is a powerful behavioral influence? Take, for instance, a person crying because they got bad news. Wrapping your arms around them can be healing and helpful to their mental state.
Nonsexual touch doesn’t have to be a hug. You can shake hands or pat someone on the back when they’ve done an excellent job. Touch is an incredibly powerful behavior that goes a long way to show your endearing side.
When you offer yourself to reach out and touch someone, it only helps reinforce your words’ sincerity.
Final Thoughts on Being More Likable
There are all kinds of people in this life that you will encounter. With each person you meet, you will remember one thing about them. It could be a perfume or cologne they’re wearing or their infectious smile that lit up the room.
The real question is, what will they remember about you? If you want to be more likable in this world, you need something that helps you stand out. Things like being kind to others, showing venerability, honesty, good communication, and your joyful demeanor are all things that are important for others to see in you.
When you strive to be more likable, you will be amazed at how quickly your social circle grows.
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