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21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

July 9th, 2008 @ 9:00 am

Categories: Business

Tags: Step, Professional Development, Career, Rick Broida

bush-and-rove.jpgNow that you know how to tank your career and make your office life miserable, it’s time for some damage control. Start by making yourself more likeable, which you can do by following the 21 steps outlined at Marc and Angel Hack Life. My favorite steps are the first two:

  • Be Attentive to Others and Never Stop Listening – Self-centered people are usually unlikable.  When you’re involved in a conversation, it’s important to focus more on the other person and less on yourself.  If you genuinely concern yourself with others and listen to them closely, you’ll make scores of friends with little effort.  Remember, everybody loves a good listener.
  • Compliment People Who Deserve It – Go out of your way to personally acknowledge and compliment the people who have gone out of their way to shine.  Everybody likes to hear that their efforts are appreciated.

I’m actually pretty good at #2, though I’m rotten at #1. (Perhaps I should buy the book that’s linked to in the tip.) Anyway, there’s a ton of good advice here for anyone aiming to improve their office persona. Do you know of other ways to get people to like you? Share, people. Share!

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  •  
    1

    SteveRider

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    Check your spelling

    In an attempt to make myself more unlikeable, I will correct your usage of "complement". As I tell my employees, "complement" with an "e" means to complete "compliment" with an "i" means to praise.

  •  
    2

    Mpsue

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    Learn how to resolve conflict and manage difficult people. This is an admirable trait and a great way to build relationships.
    Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA, CSP and author of Toxic People: decontaminate difficult people at work without using weapons or duct tape

  •  
    3

    audreyel

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    You dont have to be the office clown to be liked at work. You would be surprised how many people are attracted to an honest, dedicated, teamplayer who is willing to help others to acheive their goals.

    Once people realise that your word is your bond and you can be trusted to deliver what you promised, your name will automatically be added to the most liked list.

  •  
    4

    asander

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    'Always help when asked' may not be good for you

    The one I have most issue with is
    "Always Ask to Help? and Help When Asked ? Everyone appreciates the gift of free assistance and those who supply it. Highly likeable people always spare time for others, regardless of how busy their own schedules are. Remember, helping people get what they want is the #1 key to getting what you want."
    Unfortunately in the corporate world if you are always ready to help when people ask then people will just dump more of the stuff they don't want to do onto you and you get bogged down doing things that don't help you get ahead

  •  
    5

    eulrich

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    re: the issue of being helpful

    I agree that being helpful without bounds can actually be self-destructive. However, I'm certain that was not the intent of this piece of advice.

    There are essential nuances to getting this right. It starts with the way in which we receive a request or recognize that one is being implied. The first and most basic element of being helpful is to be able to pause in what you're doing, look up with an open face and complete attention, and listen carefully when someone is taking the effort to engage you. This conveys respect and regardless of what happens next, goes a long way toward reinforcing that person's trust.

    If the request is beyond the scope of my expertise or time available, I always help the person find a solution on their own by directing them to a resource, or I might suggest another more efficient path, or possibly connect them with someone who may be able to do more. This moderating approach also counts as helping, and is what any thinking person would do when honored with the opportunity to be relied upon when a colleague is in need.

  •  
    6

    kananura

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    I like those two tips as well. I have used them but it is sometimes hard if you are not naturally like that. The other important but unconventional one is to make practice in the mirror everyday on how you could mantain a happy looking face day long.A slight smile on your lips when you cross eyes with anybody is magic but make sure it shows in your eyes too. And dont do it to anyone you've just had a disagreement- sorry diffrent views with. It might look strange.

  •  
    7

    tekambaram

    07/10/08 | Report as spam

    Good Tips

    It is really good suggestion and tips... Keep blowing

  •  
    8

    miskelly

    07/11/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    try spelling compliment correctly and I might not suspect this item has been knocked out in a rush

  •  
    9

    judithangel03

    07/11/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    Wow, that was a good one! You have a great eye.

  •  
    10

    Petrisha

    07/12/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    We may like to consider liking others in order to be liked. It works on a state of mind and our body language will flow according to what we feel/ think about the other person. The challenge is making yourself think you like someone when you really dont. The trick is, you can still stick to your real feelings towards the person, once you have mastered the art of "putting on a real mask".

  •  
    11

    Petrisha

    07/12/08 | Report as spam

    consider liking others in order to be liked

    We may like to consider liking others in order to be liked. It works on a state of mind and our body language will flow according to what we feel/ think about the other person. The challenge is making yourself think you like someone when you really dont. The trick is, you can still stick to your real feelings towards the person, once you have mastered the art of "putting on a real mask".

  •  
    12

    cdutty

    07/13/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    Just be a sexy beast.

  •  
    13

    micd7

    07/20/08 | Report as spam

    Comments on the 21.

    1, Good idea. unless they are done then you can stop listening.

    2, Yeah, like: Good work . Hey , you busy?

    3, Very true.

    4, Good point. Also never make someone asak several times(When you hear them but don't respond). Never do that often.

    5, Good point, even more so in relationships.

    6, But don't over-do it.

    7, What the hell does that mean? Scratch your head when they do? That would probably iritate them.

    8, I agree that helping when asked could be worth your while but like people on MSDN forums say: You should search first, then ask.

    9, But lying is so enjoyable. I often make up stuff just for something to do.

    10, ICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also makes you look WEAK!

    11, How about just verbal? Body lang is a very limited.

    12, Smiling sucks. It makes you look WEAK. Just keep a straight face.

    14, "Provide Tangible Value" What did they mean by that? It wasn't well described. Is it like, make a contribution?

    15, Never respect little kids you don't know. Even respecting no putting up with another family member's little kids is hard.

    16, How do people do that anyway? It's kinda disturbing, no?

    17, Here's an idea: don't promise at all. It makes you look stupid.

    18, Yeaah, I kinda break that rule I suppose(Forcing my opinions down their throat.

    19, Handshakes are kinda the opposite with me. I get annoyed when someone offers a handshake. Kinda wastes time, ya know?

    20, What if your head itches?

    21, People who follow his are morons. I'd rather speak to a leader of a company wearing shorts than slacks. Otherwise it just looks..........Tacky(Took me awhile to think of a word for that).

    Did you people write this for bush(The theif who stole the whitehouse.)? Because 2,4,5,9,14,15,17,and Mostly 19 seem to be advice for Bush.

  •  
    14

    ajitksharma

    08/08/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    All management books are replete with advice for being sucessful like being a good listener and admiring your colleagues at work. Nothing new.

  •  
    15

    Pammi

    12/12/08 | Report as spam

    RE: 21 Ways to Make Yourself More Likeable

    "Lesson on how to be irritating contributed by specific Anal Readers of Bnet" -

    Lesson 1: Rather than read the article and use it to increase likability, nitpick at the author's incorrect use of the word complement/compliment.

    Seriously guys....elementary? It's called a mistake....deal with it! Sheesh

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  • Blogger Thumbnail Rick Broida A technology writer for more than 15 years, Rick Broida is a regular contributor to CNET, Popular Science, Wired and other publications. He's also the author of numerous books, including How to Do Everything with Your Zune. When he's not chained to his keyboard, he's usually shooting hoops or watching quality television. more »

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