Hey, Psych2goers! It’s so nice to see you again.

Do you think you’re a likable person?

That’s a trick question. It’s a given that you’re not only likable but amazing, too!

If you don’t believe it, remember that there are plenty of people who find you likable, so try not to be too hard on yourself and let this article give you a little boost of confidence for when you want to impress someone, make new friends, and generally improve your likeability!

Without further ado, here are 5 powerful secrets to make others like you.

FRIENDLY DISCLAIMER: This article is for educational purposes and is based on personal opinions. It’s not a substitute for professional advice and is instead created for uplifting general guidance. Everyone’s situation is different. What applies to you may not apply to another person. Please always listen to your intuition to determine the best possible decision. Hope you learn a lot!

1. Pay attention to detail.

Have you ever been shocked because someone remembered something you told them so long ago?

If so, it probably felt surprising and flattering at the same time.

Taking note of the little things shows other people that you’re genuinely interested in them, and because of that, they will probably like you more!

Things like birthdays, favorite foods, and funny memories are good to keep note of, so remember to take mental notes for people you want to impress.

2. Listen actively.

Do you listen to understand, or listen to reply?

In this fast-paced world, getting lost in a communication routine may get really easy.

Say hello. Compliment them. Ask how they’re doing. Say goodbye – it’s so easy to follow this sequence that you may forget to actually understand what someone is saying.

Do you tend to cut people off mid-sentence?

How often do you zone out when someone is talking?

Having a habit of cutting people off and being a passive listener can make others feel like you don’t care enough to listen and understand their words.

Generally, it’s good to extend patience once someone is talking. Listening well and being an active, engaged listener can really boost your likable factor, so listen well!

In some circumstances, people who have difficulty focusing such as those diagnosed with ADHD have trouble holding a conversation. If that’s the case for you, please don’t be too hard on yourself. People will understand and don’t worry, you’re still definitely likable!

3. Follow up.

Do you have a habit of checking up on your friends?

Do you still message people you’ve met before?

Have you tried regularly being in contact with someone to keep tabs on how they’re doing?

Following up with people you know can increase your likability because it shows that you care. It can increase affection and give a sense of continuity to a relationship because by doing so, you’re kind of saying “Hey! I’m still here and I still care about you.”

If you’re an introvert, you may find it difficult to spark a conversation with someone you haven’t met in a while. That’s also completely fine so please don’t force yourself too much. Instead, you can try checking up on people you’re already comfortable with, it still gives the same effect.

4. Remember names.

Can you easily recall names or completely forget them after like 5 minutes?

According to Chester Santos, “When you can remember someone’s name, it shows them that they are important to you and this can build rapport.”

Remembering someone’s name and using it in conversations can make them feel validated, so if you’re the type of person who easily forgets names, don’t be afraid to ask again to remember. The important thing is that you care enough to make an effort to remember them.

The next time you greet someone, try using their name, too!

5. Focus the conversation on them.

Are you more of a talker or a listener?

According to the Association for Psychological Science, new research from a team of Harvard psychological scientists suggests that asking more questions—and in particular, asking more follow-up questions—increases people’s positive impressions.

Continually expressing your curiosity about them and asking questions shows your interest so don’t be afraid to be genuine. If they show that they’re uncomfortable, it’s good to give them some space and shift the conversation into topics they’re interested in.

Hope these tips helped and good luck!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Do you think you can use these tips to become a more likable person? 

What do you think makes a person likable? Did we miss something? Please share your comments down below!

If you know someone who may enjoy this article, please don’t hesitate to share it with them as well.

As usual, the references and studies used are in the description box below.

Thank you so much, Psych2goers! See you next time.

REFERENCES

Association for Psychological Science. (2017, July 14). Asking Questions Increases Likability. Association for Psychological Science – APS. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/asking-questions-increases-likability.html

Clifford, C. (2016, October 6). 11 memory hacks to remember the names of everyone you meet. CNBC. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/21/11-memory-hacks-to-remember-the-names-of-everyone-you-meet.html

Hale, J. (2020, November 18). 11 Habits of Ridiculously Likeable People. Association for Talent Development. Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.td.org/insights/11-habits-of-ridiculously-likeable-people

mindset.unchained. (2022, February 17). 7 Powerful Secrets to make people Remember You Forever [Instagram Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/p/CaFC52plx_e/