Have you ever wondered why some people are more likable than others? Even in a group of kind, caring individuals, you will find that there are some who are just easier to like and be around. People who don’t have a high likability quotient are less likely to be successful in life, especially those who are the leader of a company.
At the same time, some individuals are very low on the scale of likability but they manage to rise to the top in business. It’s a mystery how they remain successful, yet it could be due to their ability to overpower and belittle their employees to the point where the workers feel they have no other choice but to continue working for them.
We all face unlikable individuals throughout our careers. It’s important that we do what we can to not succumb to unlikable people and move forward. This way, we may focus on our likability quotient.
Likability Involves Both Knowledge & Trust
If you want to be a likable person in the business world, people will not only need to know who you are, but they will also have to trust you. Likability is a bridge between knowledge and trust. You need it for your future employees and business partners to have faith in you. The reason is that people are not going to trust someone they don’t like.
Unlikable leaders in the business world may have many people working for them, but they repel the most talented workers in their industry because those with dignity and respect for themselves are not going to work under an unlikable person.
5 Ways to Improve Your Likability Rating
Celebrate Your Likability Milestones
There are several things that one can do to improve their likability. If you want to be successful in business because of your ability to treat others with respect, and not because you bullied them into doing as you say, you should follow these helpful tips.
- Remember Names
Many of us have trouble remembering names, especially with it comes to a large group of people. However, there is always room for improvement. Calling each of your employees by their name will improve your likability because people enjoy being acknowledged. There are several tricks for improving your ability to remember names. Repetition is the key to helping us remember any information, including names. That doesn’t mean you should constantly repeat the worker’s name in your head. Instead, say the name to someone else. Saying it aloud in a conversation causes us to retrieve the memory. This makes it easier to remember the name later.
- Make Eye Contact
When you look someone in the eye while talking or listening to them, you are showing them the utmost amount of respect. It shows that the other person and what they have to say matters to you. It lets your employees know how much you appreciate them.
- Be a Good Listener
It isn’t enough just to make eye contact and engage in a conversation with your employees. You also need to be a good listener. They may have a winning idea that they want to pass along to you, or they may have a serious situation that requires them to take time off. By listening, you show interest and empathy toward the other person. Being a good listener shows your employees that they can come to you with any questions or concerns they have, and that can give them a sense of security and safety at work.
- Be Grateful
If you want to ensure that your best workers stay with your company, you need to make them feel as if their contribution really makes a difference. Show gratitude toward them when they complete a task. Any time a worker does something that is helpful to yourself or other employees, be sure to recognize it. When others feel valued, they will often respond with kindness.
- Show Interest in Others
Let your employees know that you have an interest in their needs and personal goals. If you have someone on your team that you feel would do well in a higher position, offer it to them. Ask questions and learn what your workers hope to achieve in their careers. Help them feel important by giving them the chance to speak about their personal interests and the projects they are working on.
Improving Likability Is as Simple as Showing That You Like Other People
Being a likable person doesn’t require much work or willpower. You simply need to have respect for other people. It doesn’t have as much to do with your personality as it does with your actions. There are people out there with a good sense of humor, which is a great trait to have. But those same people may also tell jokes about others that are rude or disrespectful, and that isn’t the type of person you want to be around if you want to raise your likability quotient.
Showing that you like others and want to be around them will prove that you are also a very likable person who is easy to approach and have a conversation with.
A final thought on how to increase your likability: learn how to smile more. Smiling is the simplest thing that anyone can do to improve how others perceive them. This simple gesture can put others at ease and draw them in as they can visually see that you are a pleasant person to be around.
If you go around with a grim look on your face all the time it can make others feel intimidated. No one will want to approach you and you will shut people down who could be an asset. The old saying, smiling is contagious, is very true. So be sure to smile more often every day to keep those in your workplace in good spirits.
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