What are the best ways to be more likable? Our guide lists 11 sensible proven ways that will make you more personable in your work and your home life.
There are these people whom we, like most people, find likeable straight away. They radiate openness, friendliness and joie de vivre. We want to talk to them and that the sympathy is mutual.
Why do these people seem so sympathetic to us? And can you learn that? In the following we list 11 characteristics of personable people that make you appear personable.
How to be more sociable: strategies and tips
The best ways to be more likable
1. Make a good first impression
A person’s first impression arises within a few seconds. For the first impression there is no second chance. But what makes a likeable first impression? It mainly depends on the body language.
A firm handshake during the greeting signals self-confidence, a smile and an upright and open attitude reinforce the positive impression and is one of the best ways to be more likable. Direct eye contact is also a must in order to appear personable.
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2. Listen carefully
What is less likeable than someone who only speaks about himself all the time or who interrupts me when I speak? During the next conversation, try to pay attention to what role you take on in the conversation. Are you someone who likes to talk a lot? Learn to listen.
Those who listen carefully to their counterparts and ask questions appear much more sympathetic than someone who degrades the others to pure extras of their own monologue. Show real interest, that seems likeable. So respond to what your counterpart said.
3. Give compliments
Compliments reinforce a person’s ego. It is very effective as one of the best ways to be more likable. You can give simple but effective compliments or ask technical questions that aim at the competence of the other person.
So you learn something new and your conversation partner feels good. When starting a conversation, compliments are a useful way to break the ice and gain sympathy points.
In addition, others associate the characteristics that you attribute to them with your personality. Therefore always try to speak positively about others. But you shouldn’t overdo the compliments either, because they are more effective if you only say them from time to time.
4. Remember things
A positive impression is left by who addresses people by name. So try to remember names. Try donkey bridges or write down new names right away. If you are at an event and have a hard time remembering names, say that right at the beginning. Your counterpart is thus informed and by speaking about your weaknesses you appear even more likeable.
You should also remember other personal details that you learn about your conversation partner. The next time you see the person, it is very sympathetic if you ask what the holidays were like or which field of study the son has now chosen.
5. Make the other person feel important
Anyone who helps others to feel good is sympathetic, and this is one of the best ways to be more likable. Your fellow human beings will be happy to spend time with you if they feel good with you.
Pay enough attention to your counterpart and show that he / she is important. It can be exhausting, but it’s worth it. Avoid making someone feel excluded and actively convey the feeling of belonging. This also means that you are not always the focus.
6. Pay attention to positive body language
An open body language is generally more sympathetic than a closed one. Avoid crossing your arms and lowering your head. Take an open stance and look your opponent in the eye. Also, lean slightly in the direction of the person you are talking to and speak in a positive tone. Try to adopt a relaxed posture in which you feel comfortable.
7. Give a smile every now and then
The fact that smiling makes you likeable is nothing new. With this simple trick, we can easily use the fact that we mirror the behavior of our counterpart in our favor. Smile and your counterpart will most likely smile back. You can also fool yourself with a fake smile and pretend your body to be happy.
8. Don’t complain all the time
Whoever complains all the time is exhausting. Constant whining makes people unappealing. If you notice how others are suddenly distracted or no longer actively participate in the conversation, you should change the topic. Since other people often feel like we are, we feel more comfortable with us when we ourselves are happy and comfortable. Spread a good mood and be funny. That seems likeable and infectious.
9. Use short touches
Among other things, a study found that short touches have a positive effect on the other person. A short touch on the arm or shoulder is all it takes. Depending on how well you know the person, you can also hug them. But be careful, not everyone likes to be touched. This requires a certain amount of human knowledge.
10. Do not form hasty prejudices
We often form an opinion about other people very quickly. Of course, it is still possible for us to revise this opinion later. However, quick prejudices can lead us to distance ourselves from others and thus appear to be unappealing. In addition, we no longer think logically about the correct character traits of the other person.
11. Ask to continue
In a conversation with several people, the following is generally well received: If a person is interrupted, ask them to finish telling the story later. The other person feels valued.
