Listen and Ask Questions
Assume everyone you speak to has something to teach you. People like being listened to, and there are no shortcuts here. To be a good listener you have to actually listen to what the other person is saying. People like to know you’re listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows that not only are you listening, but you actually care about what they’re talking about. You might be shocked by how much respect and appreciation you’ll gain simply by listening.
Greet People by Name
Here’s a slightly terrifying fact: 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. Which means the first few moments of any interaction are vital. Our names are an essential part of our identity and it just feels good when people use it. Likable people make certain they use others’ names—not just when they first meet them (which is a great way to remember someone’s name) but every time they see them.
Smile
This has less to do with your looks and more to do with body language and how infectious human emotion is. When we see others smile, we tend to smile too. When someone smiles, the neurotransmitters associated with lowering anxiety and increasing happiness are released. Therefore, smiling at someone during an interaction improves your own mood, which increases your charisma, and helps the other person feel more positive emotions. When someone attributes positive experiences or conversations with you, likability and trust increase.
