How To Get People To Like You


Why yes, C and I are very likable.

Just ask us.

It is not rocket science. In fact, I read a darling little article just this week titled Likability: It’s An Inside Job and first, and it was so simple I got a chuckle out of it. Then I kept reading, and lo and behold, turns out I know people with all of the negative anti-likable characteristics too.

Funny, but cruel.

Yes, I know that smiling and being pleasant towards others isn’t always a gut reaction for some people. I also understand that, despite the logic in thinking it would be so, having an entire world filled with likable people wouldn’t solve world hunger or political unrest or really bad sense of direction.  In the world domination/ business world though, a little more likeability and a little less coffee breathe is never a bad idea.

Without further ado, here is the list of assessing, honing, and creating a culture of personal likeability. Well, here is a shortened H-Attention-Span-Type-Of-List-And-Made-Up- Reasons-Of-Why-They-Work.

First “Assess your likeability.”  Do people like you, or tend to avoid interactions with you at all costs? Think of it on a scale of (1) being the dip shit who can’t smile, takes on a fake accent to feign poshness, corrects your grammar and spelling, and can’t form coherent thoughts but insists on being a part of every conversation. Or perhaps that haughty jackass who knows everything, or at least that’s what he tells you every day on the train. (10) is obviously Me. And C. Have a number? Swell, carrying on.

Next, “Cultivate an emotionally attractive personality” or just fucking pay attention to people around you!  I have to say, possibly the most important point that is often dismissed in our little gadget obsessed society.

This is my favorite, “Address people by their name more often.”  Oh come on, you can’t refute that there is something undeniably sexy about hearing someone say your name (Destiny’s Child, you know what’s up). Furthermore the level of engagement you have with another individual just by including their name is unmatchable.

“When you greet others, lead with your smile.”  If you aren’t a naturally vivacious and smiley person, then you might be shocked at how much smoother any type of conversation can go if you just smile. Bad news, great news, confusing news, just smile kids! Humans trust people who smile. Probably something to do with some primitive quality of showing other animals your teeth (What?! Yes I haven’t eaten today, I don’t know).

“Add emotional value to all of your transactions with clients.” So easy. So crucial. So fun too. Like a game, if you will.

“Handle complaints with grace.” Kill them with kindness folks.

Read the article, it’s worth it. What do you think?

It’s fascinating to note the commentary on the higher levels of ‘success’ in term of people who are likable and people who are competent but lack that little characteristic.  Study any truly remarkable world leader, they all shared the ability, no matter what their end game was, of getting people to like them.

Think about it.

-H