He’s sure of himself.
He has a great sense of humour.
He’s a gentleman.
People pay attention to him when he speaks.
You’re pulled to him, but you’re not sure why.
He’s simply…
captivating.
I’m sure you’ve met someone like him, even if it wasn’t in a bar. Everyone likes him because he’s the life of the party.
Grrr…. Why aren’t you able to be like him?
Too many individuals assume that being nice is a gift from God. A priceless gift is given to a select few — the charming, attractive, and talented few.
That, however, is not the case.
Related: Let’s Know 8 Tips From Successful Entrepreneurs.
Likability From a Different Perspective
There have been numerous articles and books written about likeability, charm, or whatever you want to call it. Some are based on personal experience, while others are based on psychology or social research.
But have you ever thought about how celebs manage to accomplish it?
Celebrities are popular with the public. They’re admired, if not adored. So, how come we like them despite the fact that most of us have never met them, let alone spoken to them?
Yes, you and I lack their fortune and celebrity.
We don’t have any popular television series or a large platform for that matter. But now we have the opportunity to be just like them, right out of their playbook.
Straight from the Stars: How to Be Likeable
Related: How This Lady Rose Through The Ranks At HGTV To Become COO.
1) Demonstrate It With Your Body Posture
Body Language is an important aspect of communication.
Politicians aren’t celebrities in the traditional sense, but they do need to be likeable in order to win an election.
It’s not enough to simply shake hands and wave to the audience. It shows in your physique if you’re preoccupied. Hillary Clinton isn’t a pro at this. Bill Clinton is.
Bill Clinton will shake your hand and point his entire body in your direction. Hillary, on the other hand, appears to be preoccupied. She shakes hands with her body facing away from the person she’s welcoming in the first photo, and she shakes hands while walking in the second.
Dr Jack Brown, a body language expert, explains:
We direct our entire body — eyes, head, shoulders, hips, and feet — in the direction of persons we like and respect.
You’re required to shake hands with a lot of people while you’re campaigning for a political office. Of course, you won’t be able to reach everyone. Isn’t it natural to want to shake as many hands as possible?
It’s the same at mixers, office parties, and formal events: the quantity of hands you shake isn’t as important as the type of connection you make in that short time. (Share this quote on Twitter)
You can increase the rapport you develop by pointing your entire body towards the person with whom you’re conversing.
Related: Career Stabilize: 10 Expert Suggestions
2) Display Your Sense of Humor
Show off your witty side
For likeable people, being hilarious is a given. It’s almost cliched advice, but there’s more to it than a laugh.
“You have to be smart to be amusing,” says April Masini, author of four best-selling relationship books and former TV and film producer.
Masini provided me with the best explanation I’ve heard so far for why comedians are thought to be intelligent:
Making someone laugh needs intellect unless you’re slipping on a banana peel and everyone is laughing at you. It usually calls up and blends reference points that your audience didn’t previously connect.
What’s more intriguing is what’s going on in people’s heads: when they laugh at your jokes, they think you’re smart. More significantly, they believe THEY are intelligent for catching on to your joke.
Are you stumped as to how to deliver a decent joke? Take a look at Comic Wonder’s instructions.
3) Demonstrate Sensitivity
Demonstrate your vulnerability
Kerry Cahill, who starred as Lt. Whitley in Terminator Genisys and Wendy in the TV show Zoo, agrees.
When people realise you’re just a regular person who bleeds, struggles, and cries like any other human on the earth, you can instantly form a bond with them.
Cahill isn’t doing it to win sympathy or more supporters.
But it’s a significant cause for her, as evidenced by the way she speaks about it. According to Cahill,
My father’s noble and loyal service lives on in me, and I’m devoted to doing everything I can to raise awareness of the issues that continue to plague our veterans and active serving personnel.
“There can be a two-pronged effect when people share their stories: they can benefit people and that can translate into being relatable,” says Tracie Hovey, CEO of Ovation PR.
4) Dress Appropriately
Dress appropriately for the occasion.
It is important to make a good first impression. What you wear will determine whether you make new acquaintances or stay alone at the bar.
“Your dress choices may either enhance or detract from your day,” says celebrity stylist Sam Russell, who has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Sophia Bush.
“When you want to start a genuine conversation,” says Russell, “wear eye-catching jewellery.” Be wary of obnoxious logos and designs that may cause discomfort to the eyes. “If the eyes don’t like it, people are unlikely to want to approach closer,” Russell explains.
However, he acknowledges that appearances can only go you so far. He clarifies,
Visual stimuli are only present for a short time. Treating the waiter and the CEO as equal VIPs is one rule on the road to likability. Actors on the upswing are well aware of this.” (Please retweet)
5) Applaud Others’ Successes And Good Deeds
Stacia Pierce, a coach and motivational speaker who has worked with Grammy winners and Shark Tank judges, urges to “celebrate the success and goodness of others.”
Praise people for their accomplishments. Honour their accomplishments. Because the more you do, the more the spotlight reflects back on you.
8 Verbal Hacks to Make Folks Like You, as well as Marcus Oakey’s video at The 21 Conference.
6) Recognize That You Aren’t Perfect.
Recognize that you aren’t perfect. If you show folks the genuine you, flaws and all, you’ll be able to connect with them more.
The Walking Dead’s Ann Mahoney candidly admits to her weaknesses, making her more sympathetic than merely a TV character.
“I used to think it was because of my appearance when work was sluggish for me. “I wasn’t gorgeous or small enough,” Mahoney admits, “but if I could simply lose weight, I might get more employment.”
She goes on to say,
But here’s the thing: Olivia, the character I portray on The Walking Dead, is intended to be a little chubby. I wouldn’t be playing this role if I had achieved my aim of becoming skinny.’
Now is the time to take advantage of your poor self-esteem. Instead of keeping it all to yourself and then berating yourself in secret, talk about your flaws.
Will you give at least one of these ideas a shot?
Will you be meeting up with some buddies later? Attending a seminar? Is there going to be an interview? Is it time for a date? Please let me know how you get on with one of these suggestions.
7) Don’t Be Afraid To Show Your True Colours, Even If Others Don’t Like It.
Even if people don’t like it, show your true colours.
Coming out of the closet requires a lot of courage. When you’re a celebrity, it’s career-ending.
On her sitcom, Ellen, in 1997, Ellen De Generes disclosed that she is a lesbian.
Back then, society wasn’t as tolerant. Her advertisers pulled out, her airtime was taken away, and the show was eventually cancelled owing to low ratings.
Her talk show, The Ellen De Generes Show, is now in its 13th season, thanks to her honesty. Viewers adore her, and even prominent guests on the show feel at ease with her.
Madonna felt at ease enough to admit she was bullied as a child, which Entertainment Weekly Editor Ken Tucker attributes to “Ellen creating a safe sanctuary where stars may either share small nuggets of info.” Because Ellen being herself, she makes it easy for others to be themselves, which strengthens the link between her, the guests, and the audience.
8) Act As If You’re Everyone’s Best Friend
Act as if you’re everyone’s best friend.
What are your thoughts on Taylor Swift’s music? Whether you like her or not, she’s a well-liked and influential musician, even if you’re not in her market.
What’s her secret? Despite her celebrity, she retains a kind, girl next door demeanour. She hosts private parties at her home (yes, her home!) where admirers bake, listen to new music, and eat pizza. On Tumblr, she dispenses life advice, responds to fan Tweets, and basically acts as a BFF to her fans.
You don’t have to play Dr Love with new acquaintances, but having a few beers, reaching out, and ordering pizza will help you create stronger bonds.
9) Don’t Be Critical And Ask Insightful Questions.
Don’t be judgmental and ask intelligent questions. Oprah Winfrey is one of America’s most well-known talk show hosts. It’s possible that casual viewers believe it’s because of Oprah’s Christmas specials or the star guests she interviews.
If you’ve seen the show on a regular basis, you’ll notice that she has a unique manner of interviewing people.
Oprah’s book club demonstrates that she is a voracious reader. She is able to ask deep, insightful questions that allow her guests to convey their tales in a way that her audience can relate to and apply to their life as a result of this, as well as the preparation she conducts before interviews.
In a prior interview, Winfrey stated,
“What is my intention?” I ask myself before every interview. “What is it that I genuinely want to achieve?” If you’re judging, you’ll never get anything done.
You don’t need to prepare 100+ questions in advance as Oprah did for her Lance Armstrong interview, but here are a few tools to get you started:
But don’t get too excited and start with humour. Unless you’re born with a natural sense of humour, telling jokes is a skill that takes time to master. Things could quickly turn ugly, so start with a simple tip.
I’m an introvert myself, so I’m both excited and afraid to put these suggestions into practice.
PS: Do you know anyone who would enjoy this article? Perhaps a bashful friend, an introvert, or a fan of celebrities? Use the links on the side to forward this post to them.