If you want to stand out at work, you need to be likeable. If people don’t like you, they’re not going to trust you, and they certainly won’t promote you.
Many people think likeability is just a matter of personality. You’re either a likeable person or you’re not.
But nothing could be further from the truth. Likeability is not personality; it’s character. It’s behaviour. It’s how you choose to relate to other people. Likeability is possessing the attractive attitudes (and those are choices) and the relational skills that cause others to want to work with you.
Let me let you in on a big secret: If you want to be liked by other people, like them. That’s it. If you like people, guess what? They’re going to like you. If you don’t like people, they’re not going to like you. To be likeable, you just have to like people. You have to truly enjoy them. You have to choose to be interested in others and think less about yourself.
So, what are the attractive attitudes that make someone likeable? How about humility? Would you rather be around someone who is arrogant or someone humble?
How about cheerfulness? Would you rather be around somebody cheerful or grouchy?
How about empathy? When you tell others you’re not feeling well, would you rather they respond, “That’s too bad” or “I’m really sorry. What’s going on?” When you’re empathetic with someone who is hurting, guess what? You’re likeable. Bosses like people who are empathetic to their stress, who understand, and who can look at a situation from somebody else’s point of view.
When you help somebody else succeed, then you’re going to be likeable. And when you’re likeable, you’re going to find success.
To put that into practice, let’s ponder the following questions:
- What kind of character traits does it take to empathize with and encourage people who are generally considered unlikeable?
- How do you want other people to perceive you?
- What are some ways you can care for people in your workplace this week?
I’d love to hear your experience. Do you agree you need to be likeable to succeed in a workplace? Leave me a reply below and let me know your thoughts.
Excerpt taken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.
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