What Makes You Likeable?
It’s easy to fall prey to the misconception that the most likeable people are good looking, intelligent and extremely talented but this is not always the case. Being likeable is completely within your control and it’s a matter of emotional intelligence, unlike fixed characteristics such as your intelligence (IQ), emotional intelligence (EQ) is a flexible skill that you can improve with effort. So what type of behaviours do emotionally intelligent people engage in that makes them so likeable? Well here are some of the top ones:
They Are Genuine
Being genuine and honest is essential to being likeable. No one likes a fake. People gravitate towards those who are genuine because they know they can trust them. It’s difficult to like someone when you don’t know who they really are and how they really feel.
They Have Good Listening And Questioning Skills
Someone likeable will always have good listening and questioning skills, you tell them something and they will ask questions in order to clarify what you are saying. You’ll be surprised how much respect and appreciation you will earn just by listening to what’s being said and asking questions.
They Don’t Pass Judgement
If you want to be likeable you must be open–minded. Being open-minded makes you approachable and interesting to others. No one wants to have a conversation with someone who has already formed an opinion and is not willing to listen.
They Don’t Seek Attention
People are averse to those who are desperate for attention. You don’t need to develop a big, extrovert personality to be likeable. Simply being friendly and considerate is all you need to win people over. When you speak in a friendly, confident and concise manner, you will notice that people are much more interested than if you try to show them how important you are.
They Use Positive Body Language
Being aware of your gestures, expressions and tone of voice and making certain they are positive will draw people to you like ants to a picnic. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact and leaning towards the person who’s speaking are all forms of positive body language that high-EQ people use to draw others in.
They Leave A Strong First Impression
Research shows that most people decide whether or not they like you within the first seven seconds of meeting you. They then spend the rest of the conversation internally justifying their initial reaction. This may sound terrifying but by knowing this you can take advantage of it to make huge gains to your likeability. First impressions are tied intimately to positive body language.
They Greet People By Name
Your name is an essential part of your identity and it feels terrific when people use it. Likeable people make certain they use others name everytime they see them. You should use someone’s name only when you greet them. Research shows that people feel validated when the person they’re speaking with refers to them by name during a conversation.
They Know Who To Touch And They Touch Them
When you touch someone during a conversation you release oxytocin to their brain and this makes their brain associate you with trust and lots of other positive feelings. A simple touch of the shoulder, a hug or a friendly handshake is all it takes. Of course you have to touch the right person in the right way as unwanted or inappropriate touching has the opposite effect.
They Balance Passion With Fun
People gravitate towards those who are passionate about what they do. That said it’s easy for passionate people to come across as too serious or uninteresting because they tend to get absorbed in their work. Likeable people balance their passion with the ability to have fun.
So to summarize likeable people are invaluable and unique. They network with ease, promote harmony in the workplace, bring out the best in everyone around them and generally seem to have most fun. Add the skills above to your repertoire and watch your likeability soar.
Get Likeable In 2025 – It’ll Help You In Life