Scientists have studied human interaction as they try to identify what makes one person respond favorably to another. Being liked by your employees, co-workers, acquaintances, family and friends enriches your life in many ways. We’ve all noticed how some people seem to draw other people to them. Maybe it’s their smile or the way that person makes them feel when they are around. We judge others constantly and may not even realize why it is that we like having them around.
Beyond the obvious benefits of having a strong bond with your family and friends, there is little doubt that the people who are well-liked get ahead in business faster than a person who is less attractive from a personality standpoint. Being liked by co-workers and other important influencers in your business life will bolster your career. If you are well thought of, people automatically go out of their way to help you out. People want to do business with people they like. It is human nature to try and surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself.
Below are some ways you can start improving your social skills.
1.Be Genuine
In the article, 8 Ways To Get People To Like You Immediately, Forbes reports that being genuine makes people trust you. We’ve all been exposed to people who appear to be fake. Until you feel like you really know someone, it is impossible to connect with them and like them. Being genuine sounds simple enough, but it is an inside job. Embracing what you care about and not being afraid to show people what’s inside will attract others to you.
2. Ask Questions
According to an article published in Time.com, 10 Simple Ways to Make People Like You More, asking questions allows other people the chance to show what they know. Everyone likes to help other people. By enlisting a person’s help, you are forging a bond with them. It is also important to actively listen to the person when they answer your question, listening attentively and asking more questions to clarify key points.
One example would be to ask a friend who is driving a newer Nissan 350Z why they like their new car and if they would recommend it to others considering a new car purchase. You are asking for advice. People love to give advice and will associate that good feeling with you in the future.
3. Spend Time with The Person.
As published in Business Insider’s article, 6 Psychological Tricks to Make People Like You Immediately, when University of Pittsburgh psychologists conducted a study using four women who posed as university students in a psychology class, the results proved a correlation between exposure and being liked. Each woman attended class a different number of times. While the males in the study did not interact with any of the women, when asked about each woman, the males preferred the women who were in class more often.
The lesson here is obvious. By spending time with people, you are more likely to be liked by them as they start feeling more comfortable with your presence. If there is someone you want to get to know, then you have to make the effort to spend more time with them.
Conclusion
Learning how to make friends is one of the most important skills you can learn. While we all start this learning process as children, it is a life skill that you will always need at all stages in life. By reviewing the three tips above, you can improve your life by attracting the people you want around. It is never too late to make a new friend.
