Should You Make Yourself More Likeable?

Are you wanting to expand your influence and develop your personal and professional networks? Then it makes sense to consider what will naturally make you a more likeable person. 

Writing in Inc., Marcel Schwantes, contributing editor and founder of Leadership from the Core offers these guidelines:

1. Ask interesting questions:  Research shows that curious people connect better with others. Being interested is more important in building and maintaining a relationship than being interesting; this is what gets the dialogue flowing. 
2. Smile more:  Body language experts say people form an opinion about us in a fraction of a second. To avoid giving off a negative nonverbal cue, simply smile more. Smiles are indicators of safety. Even smiling at a stranger often brings a reciprocal smile, or at least a nod. It's a quick way to create connection.
3. Listen intently:  Few behaviors enhance a conversation as much as actually attending to what people have to say. Listening signals respect and curiosity. We like people who are interested in us.
4. Express Joy Visibly: Those who choose to enjoy life attract others. Expressing what makes you happy and grateful also makes you likeable and influential. 

Do you engage in any of these likeability-enhancing behaviors, and which would you like to cultivate more? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

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