Sometimes forming relationships at work can be an intimidating task. People often get anxious about meeting strangers and interacting outside of their comfort zone. But, believe it or not, anyone can be likeable. You don’t have to naturally be perceived as a person everyone wants to be friends with and get to know. You can put in an effort to be charismatic and make plenty of helpful connections. Here are a few tricks to make yourself come off as someone who people will want to get to know:
Listen and engage
Take a second to think about people you’ve met and instantly liked. What is one trait they had in common? They likely listened and engaged in conversation with you. When you do these two things, you are showing that you care about the topic and the person you are speaking with. Make eye contact as you listen and add comments when appropriate. Don’t get distracted by people passing by or the environment around you. Focus on the conversation at hand. Not only will they appreciate your attention, they will probably return the favor when you have something to say.
Don’t touch your phone
Text messaging, checking your voicemail or email and answering the phone are easy ways to make someone not like you. You may not even realize that these habits are rude because you do them so often and without thinking. If you are having a conversation with someone, be sure to leave your phone in your pocket on silent. Focus on the individual you are conversing with and what they are saying. This way they will know you are fully engaged in talking with them.
Have an open mind
Nothing makes someone shut down more quickly than an immediate “no.” When someone comes to you with an idea or a thought, be sure to keep an open mind. Even if what they are saying may not seem like a good plan or a feasible option right away, give them the courtesy of hearing them out. Once they have said their piece, you can address possible concerns or provide praise for a well-thought-out idea. Stopping someone mid-sentence will only make them feel defensive and remember the talk as a negative experience, which can make them feel negatively toward you.
Avoid bragging
People tend to be more well-liked when they do not seek attention. If you did something worth being recognized for that is great, but don’t go out of your way to make sure everyone in the office is aware of your achievement. If a supervisor deems this necessary and sends out a company-wide email that is out of your hands, but don’t make it your personal mission to be sure everyone knows. You’ll be more likeable if you aren’t seen as a braggart, but as someone who did a good job and is receiving proper recognition. Employee recognition is an important part of a business because it makes the staff feel appreciated. If you are a supervisor looking to reward someone for a job well done, consider giving them a congratulations card to show you acknowledge their hard work.
Remember names
Nothing makes a person feel unimportant like when their name is forgotten. Try your best to remember the names of everyone you encounter, even if you aren’t likely to see them again. This way you can avoid that awkward moment of partial recognition when they call you by name and you haven’t a clue who they are. Take a moment to associate a new person with a celebrity of the same name or use a rhyme like “Kevin eleven” to help you remember. You’ll be surprised how much warmer of a hello you will receive when you greet someone by name.